11 January 2021
Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Mr. Patrick O’Donovan TD, today announced the publication of a Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Report.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, recreational use of the Phoenix Park increased significantly prompting the establishment of a Steering Group comprising four organisations; the Office of Public Works (OPW), National Transport Authority, Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council to guide the development of transport and mobility options for all users of the Phoenix Park.
Since its establishment last summer, the Group has worked to identify the optimal transport and mobility options for all users of the Park while minimising the impact on the surrounding communities. The report aims to address the competing pressures on the Park in a managed and considered way, and to facilitate public consultation with this process before any final transport and mobility options are put in place.
The Report is based on a set of core principles; to protect the biodiversity of the Park, to recognise the Park’s function as a recreation site for people, to encourage more sustainable transport solutions, to seek to reduce commuter traffic, to liaise with a wide range of interested parties and to ensure all decisions are evidence based. These principles will underpin any future solutions and changes to transport and mobility issues in the Phoenix Park.
In accordance with the principles, the Report sets out an optimal model solution for the medium to long term for how park visitors will access, experience and move within the Phoenix Park while protecting the park environs, and it makes a number of recommendations to reduce commuter traffic, increase the cycling and pedestrian opportunities and provide for limited public transport. The Report takes account of the complex issues the Park presents given the multiple and competing users of the space.
Minister of State, Mr. Patrick O’Donovan said at the launch: “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought home to many the benefits to be enjoyed in a space like this, which is very precious and especially valuable in a large urban centre such as Dublin city. Our aim with this report is to set out for the public the transport and mobility issues arising in the Park and present considered solutions. The public now has some time to consider and review the recommendations in advance of the Public Consultation process starting on January 29th. A lot of work has gone into preparing this report and we hope those who use the Park will take the time to read it and contribute during the public consultation period.”
The Report takes account of the way pedestrians, cyclists, recreation users and commuters interact with and utilise the Park. In this context, the Report considered a range of options. The emerging preferred option is to reposition the Phoenix Park as an important natural resource for the citizens of Dublin and further afield while seeking to reduce through traffic over the medium to long term. This preferred option would significantly improve pedestrian and cycling safety while also providing more sustainable transport options for those working in the Park and accessing its visitor attractions and amenities.
The public consultation will commence on January 29th, 2021 and a further notification will be issued in advance of this date. The consultation will remain open for public input for six weeks, until 12th March 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the public consultation will take place online only. It will include a virtual ‘room where members of the public can view the report and associated maps. It will also include a FAQ section. Interested members of the public will be asked to complete a transport and mobility questionnaire online and to make submissions. At the end of this consultation period, an analysis of the submissions received will take place with the aim of publishing a final report in April 2021. For a copy of the full report click here.
ENDS
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