Update on #RoyalCanalGreenway

The Active Travel Programme Office of Dublin City Council provided a quaterly update to Councillors at our January meeting. Across the coming days, I will share details of updates on specific projects across the North Inner City.

Many people continue to seek updates from me on the construction works as part of Phase 3 of the Royal Canal Greenway, between Newcomen Bridge and Cross Guns Bridge. Officials advised us that:

“Royal Canal Greenway Phase 3 will provide 2.1km of cycling facilities and 2.1km of walking facilities along
the Royal Canal, from Newcomen Bridge (North Strand Road) to Cross Guns Bridge (Phibsborough
Road). The contractor was appointed in December 2022. Construction kicked off with the Lord Mayor of
Dublin Caroline Conroy and Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery &
Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, helping to ‘turn the sod’ on 15th February 2023. The scheme is scheduled
for completion in Q2 2025.

Works on the Charleville Mall roadway and southern footpath were substantially completed on 17th
November. However, due to an ESB underground cable strike the road closure was extended until 1st
December to facilitate essential cable repairs that were successfully completed earlier than expected and
the road was reopened to through vehicular traffic on 28th November. Works at the junction with North
Strand Road are due to commence in Q1 2024 and will be undertaken as part of the Clontarf to City Centre
(C2CC) project.

Works on the Charleville Mall northern footpath are delayed until structural repair works are carried out on
the canal quay wall between Lock 1 and Clarke’s Bridge. These pre-existing quay wall defects were not
previously detected as they were below the normal water level. During the summer of 2023, the water
level was lowered to facilitate pile cap works further upstream. The defects were only observed at this
stage. These defects render the quay wall unstable. A 315mm diameter gas main adjacent to the canal
quay wall will also need to be diverted to facilitate stabilisation works. DCC are currently liaising with Gas
Networks Ireland on this matter. Due to the complexity of the proposed works, it is not expected that works
will be completed on the Charleville Mall northern footpath until at least Q3 2024.

Works at Clarke’s Bridge / Summerhill Parade are on hold until April 2024 due to restrictions imposed by
the C2CC project. Summerhill Parade forms part of the C2CC diversion route for inbound traffic.

The Russell Street east and west ramp works are ongoing. The construction of the ramp foundation piles,
pile caps and support columns have been completed. Road crossing works on Russell Street are due to
commence in late January 2024. To facilitate the works, Russell Street will be closed to vehicular traffic
for approximately two weeks, followed by lane closures for a further four weeks. Pedestrian access will be
maintained to the greatest possible extent, particularly on Croke Park match days.

Approximately 90 linear meters of sheet piles were installed along the canal bank opposite Portland Place
Park in November. Full embedment depths were not achieved, which will necessitate additional ground
anchors. These are due for installation in early 2024.
A Part VIII Planning application for Binn’s Bridge was brought to the Council Meeting on 6th November.
Detailed design is currently underway with planning compliances to be submitted prior to construction which
is expected to commence in Q1 2024.

Waterways Ireland commenced canal dredging works between Binns Bridge and Lock 3 in October and
these works were completed in mid-November.
ESB high voltage and communications ducting works are ongoing between Cross Guns Bridge and Binns
Bridge. These works are due for completion by the end of January 2024. Kerb laying commenced in
November and is due for completion in Q1 2024.
Site investigation works on Phibsborough Road / Prospect Road at Cross Guns Bridge commenced in
November to determine the depth and location of existing services and to provide additional information
to determine a service corridor route for all road crossings. Construction works are due to commence on
Cross Guns Bridge in January 2024. This will necessitate temporary closure of the inbound bus lane,
followed by the outbound bus lane. These works are anticipated to take about 12 weeks to complete.

The project webpage is updated as works progress on site; its address is http://www.dublincity.ie/rcgp3.”

In terms of Phase 4, linking Cross Guns Bridge and Ashtown, officials also confirmed that:

The project will deliver 4.3km of walking and cycling facilities along the Royal Canal, from Cross Guns
Bridge (Phibsborough Road) to the city boundary at Ashtown.

The proposed amending Part VIII planning proposals were presented to the Central Area Committee
meeting on 9th May. All of the Councillors’ questions from the meeting were collated and responses were
issued in writing to the Councillors on June 22nd.
Following on from the presentation to the Central Area Committee in May, an on-site meeting took place

between the Project Team and Elected Members on Tuesday 6th of June.
The Amending Part VIII for the Royal Canal Greenway Phase 4 was submitted on 21st September 2023
with the final date for submissions being November 3rd.
Due to a referral made by a 3rd Party to An Bord Pleanála on 18th October, the Draft Chief Executive’s
report cannot be concluded within the expected timeframe. Once a determination has been made by the
Board, which is expected to be on or before 29th February 2024, the Chief Executive has 8 weeks in
which to prepare a report and submit to the Council members.