PROPOSAL FOR A PROMENADE FROM MERRION GATES TO DUN LAOGHAIR

EAST COAST RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION PROJECTS – MERRION TO DUN LAOUGHAIRE SECTION

• A project is in progress by Irish Rail to provide improved coastal protection against predicted climate change effects of sea level rises and coastal erosion on the east coast railway corridor between Merrion Gates and Wicklow Harbour.
• SAMRA attended an initial Public Consultation on this project at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire on 12^th November 2024, with a particular interest in the section of the route from Merrion Gates to Dun Laoghaire.
• Along this route there are various design proposals to protect the rail line from  flooding. One such proposal is the extension of the existing rock embankment, a so called rock armour outside the rail line.
• Following review of these proposals, including a discussion with the Design Consultants, Jacob Engineering, SAMRA made a Submission to the Consultation suggesting that a walk and cycle way be incorporated into the scheme.

THE SUTTON TO SANDYCOVE CYCLE AND WALK WAY PROMENADE -S2S

• Michael Collins, retired Architect from his own well known firm, instigated the S2S concept for a cycle lane along the Bay from Sutton to Sandycove back in the 1990s, and it then became Government policy. 
• The arc on the northside from Clontarf to Sutton is in place and Dublin Port are in the process of extending it through the Port to the Liffey. 
• Their 3fm project to develop the south side of the Port is currently at Planning stage and allows for a cycle lane across the river as part of a new bridge that is proposed as part of the project. They then plan to extend it to the Sandymount seafront along the east side of the Glass Bottle site. 
• SAMRA and the bulk of the Sandymount Community are advocating for the proposed cycle way along Strand Rd to be incorporated into the Sandymount enhanced flood defences project currently also being designed by Jacobs Engineering.
• As such, the addition of a cycle and walk way along the rail line as part of the Irish Rail flood defences project would then extend the S2S promenade to Dun Laoghaire, which along with the existing cycle and walk way to Sandycove, would complete the full S2S. 
• In parallel with SAMRA's Submission to the initial Public Consultation on the rail line project, Michael Collins provided a well developed scheme for such a promenade, and made a Submission accordingly. Such a promenade could also accommodate Eirgrid's proposed installation of 225 KVa cable from Carrickmines to Poolbeg.
• An S2S Group is now lobbying for his scheme making a strong case including that a three agency combined project not only makes huge sense, but is entirely in line with the recently published Accelerating Infrastructure Policy which calls for various State agencies to work with each other on local projects and seeks to encourage public buy in. Such buy in would be significantly supported by the community gain that the rail line project would provide by including a coastline promenade in its scope.

DUBLIN BAY, A DESIGNATED UNESCO BIOSPHERE 

• Dublin Bay is an ecosystem that is home to many rare and important species of wildlife.
• In 2015 the Bay as a whole was designated a UNESCO Biosphere, and is the only capital city in the world with such a Biosphere on its doorstep.
• The designation reflects its significant environmental, economic, cultural and tourism importance, and is recognised as such by Dublin City Council.
• Bird wildlife includes Brent Geese, who winter there, and the Oystercatcher.
• Fish life includes the Harbour Seal and the Grey Seal. 
• Empty Cockle shells are a very common feature in the beaches, and a pioneer plant is the Common Cordgrass.
• 32 species of green seaweeds have been recorded on the Bay mudflats. 
• The rocky shorelines provide habitats for plants and animal communities.
• As described by the Irish Conservation a Wild Birds Regulations, the inter-tidal land portion of the South Bay is an area of 7.25 square kilometres. As such, it is larger than the Phoenix Park, the biggest enclosed park in Europe.
• This inter-tidal walkable portion of the Bay provides an incredible sand landscape with a vast horizon, a destination, a waterpark, an environmental sanctuary.

As such Dublin Bay is a free gift of Nature and a wonderful amenity for its citizens and visiting tourists.

SAMRA'S SUPPORT FOR PROMENADE PROPOSAL

• SAMRA fully and enthusiastically supports the S2S Group's call for a promenade with a cycle way extending our promenade from Merrion Gates all the way along the shoreline to Dun Laoghaire. We are joined in that support by the community groups of Booterstown and Trimleston, and are united with the communities of Blackrock, Monkstown and Dun Laoghaire in calling for such a promenade to be incorporated into the proposed Merrion Gates to Dun Laoghaire rail line enhanced flood defences project.
• We believe that the proposal presents a once in the lifetime opportunity to provide such a facility.
• What a fantastic amenity it would provide for Dublin and its tourist industry. 
• It would hugely enhance the vistas and experience of Dublin Bay from the south side, which are currently relatively restricted to Sandymount and the Dun Laoghaire to Sandycove area.
• The gift of Nature that is the UNESCO Biosphere, as described above, would be dramatically displayed to citizens and tourists alike.
• The shoreline links to the villages of Blackrock and Monkstown, with their many attractions, would be opened up, access would be provided to many historic features along the coast, and it would provide a wonderful panoramic route for active travel for visitors all the way from Dun Laoghaire to Dublin City.