Dundalk Active Travel plans move step closer

Louth County Council's Active Travel plans for Dundalk have moved a step closer this week, with the beginning of the Local Authority's public consultation, required as part of the Part 8 Planning process.

This particular Active Travel project, should it go ahead as proposed, would see Louth County Council install high-quality segregated pedestrian and cycling infrastructure to improve safety and promote Active Travel along the R132 Inner Relief Road Dundalk from Xerox Junction (R132, R215 intersection) heading northwards to The Tain Bridge for a length of c.4km.

The project would see the provision of a cycle lane along L2000-621 Barrick St. West and R177-4 St. Helenas Terrace. It is proposed to upgrade junctions along the entire route to provide safer pedestrian and cycle crossings, along with the upgrade of all entrances along the route to better facilitate pedestrians and cyclists.

Louth County Council also plans to provide pedestrian and cycling crossings at identified desire lines along the route, as well as connect to existing cycling facilities that interface with the route, improve landscaping and biodiversity along the full length of the scheme including sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS).

The plans also provide for the provision of all other ancillary works associated with these cycle lanes along the length of the scheme.

To see full details of the Part 8 planning for this project, and to make a submission on the proposed plans, go here. Submissions close on 12 June 2024.

Part 8 Planning relates to Local Authority projects. When a project is being progressed by a local authority, planning permission is applied for under Part 8 of Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended). The procedure requires that notice of the proposed development shall be given in an approved newspaper and that a site notice be erected on the land on which the proposed development would be situated.

Following the consultation period, the chief executive of the local authority will prepare a report which will summarise submissions or observations received and the report is presented to the members of the authority. This report recommends whether or not the proposed development should proceed as proposed, or should not be proceed.

Following consideration of the report, the proposed development may be carried out as recommended in the report, unless the local authority, by resolution, decides to vary or modify the development, otherwise than as recommended in the report, or decides not to proceed with the development.