The Baldoyle to Portmarnock Walking and Cycling Greenway project has been officially opened by Cllr Eoghan O’Brien, the mayor of Fingal.

The scheme is a major new amenity for the area, as sustainable travel is now more prevalent than ever.

The Greenway is located at the Racecourse Park and allows cyclists and pedestrians to travel through the park parallel to the coast road, linking Baldoyle with Portmarnock.

Atkins completed the project through all stages, from concept through design, planning, procurement and construction supervision.

Area’s natural assets

It is a welcome addition for locals in the area and will also appeal to tourists, as it is an attractive, high-quality walking and cycling facility, it said. This will maximise and respect the opportunities presented by the area’s natural assets and coastal location.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Eoghan O’Brien, said: “I am delighted to formally open the Portmarnock to Baldoyle Greenway. It’s a wonderful new facility for local people as well as visitors to the area. It is the first section of what will be the Sutton to Malahide Greenway route, which will also tie in with the Broadmeadow Way, and ultimately the Fingal Coastal Way.

“Since access was opened along the route, it has been heavily used by walkers and cyclists. It is a stretch of road that previously had no footpath whatsoever, and that’s why the local councillors insisted that this stretch be the first piece of the Sutton to Malahide cycleway because it was a very important piece of infrastructure that was missing.”

Stephen Wyse, project manager at Atkins, said: “Atkins is delighted to have successfully delivered this Greenway scheme. The route has been designed taking account of the coastal setting so tourists and locals alike can enjoy Fingal’s incredible coastline and natural landscape.

‘Traffic-free’ alternative

"The overall vision from the NTA and Fingal County Council will ensure that this Greenway will be a major asset for outdoor recreation and tourism, while also providing a real ‘traffic-free’ alternative for commuter cyclists travelling along this route.”

With 88 kilometres of coastline, Fingal has great potential for the provision of cycleways which will improve sustainability, transport infrastructure and the health and wellbeing of local residents.

The Baldoyle to Portmarnock route is the first phase of a major initiative to provide a greenway along the entire coastline of Fingal.

Further phases of this project are progressing through the planning and design process. Atkins is also managing and delivering two adjoining schemes; the Sutton to Malahide Pedestrian and Cycle Route and Fingal Coastal Way. Both projects are being managed and delivered by Atkins as separate design commissions.

Hans Visser, biodiversity officer at Fingal County Council, said he was delighted to see the official opening of the Greenway route.