There's been 'massive opposition' in Sandymount to plans for a new cycle track in the Dublin suburb, one local councillor says.
However, cycling campaigners say there's also a lot of local support for the project, and there's been 'extensive consultation' over the plans.
Car restrictions - including traffic barriers, reduced parking, and a one-way system - are being implemented as part of the measures for the new two-way Strand Road cycle path.
Plans for the project are now proceeding, and a six-month trial will get underway over the coming weeks.
Independent Councillor Mannix Flynn told Newstalk Breakfast there's been widespread opposition from residents over the way the plan is being rolled out.
He said: “It all came out through the newspapers, without anyone being informed - including local councillors.
“There are many people in Sandymount who are pro-cycling, and many who are ardent cyclists… but this particular plan they’re entirely opposed to. It’s going to drive traffic into the village, and remove no pollutants from the area.
“There’s been much division around this situation, and those who do support it… but the vast majority don’t support it.”
He said many residents support alternative plans for cycling tracks in the area, but their “wishes were completely ignored”.
He said: “The people now have learned Dublin City Council plans to go ahead with this particular plan despite the massive opposition.
"The only alternative now is that the residents will seek a judicial review in the courts."
He said authorities can't "railroad projects like this through neighbourhoods".
"We’re expecting a lot more people to cycle"
Kieran Ryan, spokesperson for the Dublin Cycling Campaign, says there are many people in Sandymount who do support it - including parents with children in local schools who want safer cycling infastructure.
He said: “It’s not fair to say that this is entirely people who live in Sandymount against this cycle track - there are a lot of people who support it, and politicians who support it.
"It has gone through two separate stages of public consultation, and in that public consultation the majority of people have supported the implementation of the cycle track.”
Mr Ryan said the trial would be done by now if there hadn't been such an extensive level of consultation - adding that community process happened despite Dublin City Council being 'within their rights' to push ahead with the project anyway.
He said there'll be monitoring systems in place to monitor traffic and air pollution during the trial.
He observed: “We’re looking forward to this trial - we’re expecting a lot more people to cycle, and a greater variety of people to cycle.
“Protected cycling infrastructure is what gets more people cycling, gets cars off the road, reduces pollution and congestion, and makes it a better city for everyone to live in.”
