Fingal Coastal Way gets a boost with new funding

July 31, 2020 ADMIN

Funding announced by Minister for Climate Change, Communications Networks and Transport Eamon Ryan. New national funding providing support for feasibility, planning and design for Greenways around the country was announced this week by Minister for Climate Change, Communications Networks and Transport Eamon Ryan. Included in the list is the Fingal Coastal Way which is set to become an iconic feature along the Fingal coastline.

Local TD and Minister of State for Community and Rural Affairs, Joe O’Brien, has welcomed the inclusion of the Fingal Coastal Way in the funding allocation, with €200,000 awarded for the project which will be managed by Fingal County Council. The specific project plans to develop route options along the 21km section from Newbridge Demesne, Donabate to north of Balbriggan.

Speaking after the announcement of the funding last week, Minister O’Brien said:

This is a good day for Fingal. One of the first issues I started pushing when I got involved in local politics eight years ago was the vision of the Coastal Way. We managed to get specific mention of it in the Programme for Government and now we are starting to deliver on what will be an amazing asset.This funding will support the strategy for the Fingal Coastal Way and help Fingal County Council prepare the project to be ready for construction funding in the coming years. The Fingal Coastal Way will encourage tourism by ultimately connecting Bremore Castle in Balbriggan, with Skerries, Loughshinny, Rush, Newbridge Demense, the Estuaries, Malahide Demense, Portmarnock and ultimately into the city. It has the potential to be one of the biggest tourist draws in the country. Of course it will facilitate healthier movement and commuting between the towns along the coast, aswell as providing positive climate impacts.

Green Party local Councillor, Karen Power, also welcomed the announcement, saying:

Greenways can play an important role in supporting local communities to create jobs and bring visitors and tourism to Fingal. As we have seen over the course of the lockdown, people are eager to get out into nature and avail of the stunning scenery along our beautiful coast. I am anxious to progress the Fingal Coastal Way following a lack of inclusion of plans for the route north of Donabate in the draft National Transport Authority, Cycling Investment Plan 2020 – 2024. This funding announcement means we have a new mandate to ensure the Fingal Coastal Way is fully planned and funded to route completion just past Balbriggan.