An idea evolves
December 2020
Have your say on the second iteration of the idea and vote for your preferred design.
The Inchicore Covid Mobility Campaign
In July 2020, I pitched an idea to help people access Inchicore village in a safe and welcoming environment. I asked people to consider travelling “to Inchicore, instead of through Inchicore”. I ran a public consultation and using the feedback I received, presented an alternative proposal to Dublin City Councillors in November 2020. You can watch the video below or access the slides here.
Here is a feedback form if you would like to make an observation on these ideas or contribute your own experience of moving around Inchicore.
Consulting the Public, Businesses, and Organisations
Meet Anne from Woodfield
“Something like that happening, it takes a lifetime to recover.” Watch and share Anne’s response to the Covid Mobility Plan.
I’ve been showing the proposal video to members of the community who may not have access to the internet. I wear a mask and maintain social distancing and keep the area well ventilated (that’s the N4 traffic you can hear through the open window).
“On behalf of the Inchicore Environmental group we would welcome this ambitious imaginative plan for Inchicore. Put simply, Inchicore village needs a complete change in mindset about what a village should be. It doesn't have a square inch of public space, it is littered with shuttered businesses and it is noisy. Yet it is closer to the city centre than Glasnevin, Dartry. It has a young, diverse, energetic population who are just itching to support local. It is near parks, a library, GAA clubs, soccer clubs, museums. So what's wrong? It's the traffic. A regular snarl of everything up to HGV. All crammed into 100 year old routes with barely a wheelchair width of pavement in some places. This proposal is part of the solution. We don't expect that all people will agree with all points but we have to start thinking outside of tweaks and adjustments. A re-imagining is required. This plan is part of that. We urge that you please give it serious consideration if you think the goal of a local authority is to provide a liveable city for its citizens and not just a route from one motorway to another.”
— Inchicore Environmental Group
“I support this initiative completely. We encourage the children to cycle, scoot and walk to school here in SMGS and will continue to do so. This plan will make it much safer for everybody. “
— Principal Mary O’Mahony, Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal
“I strongly welcome proposals for high quality improvements of the public realm to strengthen Inchicore as an urban village for its residents. Part of the city network of urban villages, Inchicore has a strong identity and is home to many hidden gems. Sadly its physical setting has been neglected over at least twenty years, despite successive masterplans and framework plans. The need to improve the streets and urban spaces of the village following best place-making principles is now absolutely pressing. Additionally, pedestrian and citizen safety in the context of Covid are urgent issues. There is a fantastic and ready community of active imaginative village-dwellers in Inchicore who will help develop conversations around implementation and management of our shared place. We are waiting!”
— Grainne Hassett, Inchicore Resident & Registered Architect/Urban Planner
“I think this is a brilliant idea. DCC have given approval for a massive high rise development at the Royal Liver site on the Naas road. There are already two building projects going on at the Sheldon Hotel/Kylemore Road. This is going to cause a lot of traffic congestion to not only the Naas Road but Ballyfermot, Bluebell and Inchicore also. We need a plan to address safety and congestion.”
— Resident, Ballyfermot
“The proposal is going to transform village life in Inchicore. It will help businesses to survive and thrive with outdoor seating and families feeling safe as road users. I have two babies and welcome this proposal wholeheartedly, our village is currently too car-centric for its size—a focus shifting to our activities within the village is a must. I believe that having residents and families feel at ease in the village will increase their time and visibility in it and this will in turn result in a reduction of anti-social behaviour that is rife in the area. There are other route options for cars like has been achieved in Dun Laoghaire and many other urban areas during the Covid crisis.”
— Resident, Liffey Street South
Any suggestion that helps to re-imagine the village centre, and bring it back to life is welcome! In the time that I have been here, we have lost many shops - florist, travel agent, hardware store, baker, fruit and veg store, newsagents, 2 electrical shops, banks and more! There is very little that has fundamentally improved, despite a few attempts from the council. The Inchicore Draft Urban Framework Plan of 2005 was high on aspirations but did not deliver. We still have dereliction in the centre of the village. Let's try something new, and try to take the traffic out of Inchicore.
— Resident, St George’s Villas
“This is very intriguing idea that is hopefully trialled - at the very least - for 2-4 weeks to assess the pros and cons. Overall, it sounds fantastic for the Inchicore centre. A direct observation at the peak of the lockdown was that Inchicore centre was a lovely place to walk without much traffic and road noise.”
— Resident, Oblates
“I think this is an excellent plan. I frequent Inchicore Village regularly (I'm a 5 minute cycle away & have many friends living close to the village) and that giant junction at its heart is so unfriendly to anyone not in a motor vehicle. Only recently, while waiting for a prescription to be filled in Keating's Pharmacy I decided to pop across for a coffee in Unfiltered and I'd to cross 4 vehicle lanes to get there, it's really unpleasant.”
— Resident, Drimnagh
“Inchicore has been long overlooked for development of this nature and the village centre feels like rush hour all the time due to the over emphasis on cars and buses. Schools and shops would benefit from greater access. I would also propose a widening of the footpath up to St Mary’s road which cannot accommodate a standard buggy under the railroad bridge.”
— Resident, The Ranch
“It's great to see a plan that brings people back into Inchicore to spend time enjoying the area and bringing money into the economy, while also keeping us all safer and healthier. Hopefully it will be as positive for us as it has been for Blackrock.”
— Resident, The Belfry
“This plan remedies a fundamental problem with living in the area: there is no real village. As someone who - before Covid - drove to work through this village, I would welcome the disruption to my habits for the gains that would be secured more broadly.”
— Resident, Tyrconnell Park
“Looks like a good plan and well worth a try, particularly as it does not involve any significant infrastructural changes. If successful, then more permanent measures could be put in place. Any measures to encourage giving village centre a facelift gets my backing.”
— Resident, The Tramyard
“I support making Inchicore village less of a thoroughfare to the city. Giving back some of the road to pedestrians, businesses, cyclists and plants would transform the village.”
— Resident, Sarsfield Road
“I support this excellent proposal which would make walking in the village so much more pleasant and child-friendly.”
— Resident, Old Kilmainham Road
“This can and should be put in place as a priority”
— Resident, Lissadel Drive
“I completely support the idea of opening up Inchicore village to more pedestrians and cyclists”
— Resident, Inchicore Road
“More public safety for cyclists and pedestrians. Reduce air pollution. Support communities and future generations.”
— Resident, Dublin 8
“As a regular visitor to Inchicore, this is an excellent plan. I rarely stop in the village as a result of current parking and traffic issues, but would certainly change this behaviour and spend more locally should this or a similar intervention be undertaken”
— Resident, Rathfarnham
“This revised plan for Inchicore is much welcomed. As a former resident, I am aware of the ongoing issues of Inchicore being used as a rat run, posing a danger to local residents and restricting the vitality of the village. Covid offers an opportunity to reimagine the village with active mobility and connectivity at its core. An opportunity that should be taken and implemented on a permanent basis.”
— Former Resident, CIE Works
“Great idea. Cars hold the city hostage.”
— Resident, Kilmainham
“The only thing I would change is to put a bus gate on Tyrconnell road. I support strategically encouraging people to leave their private cars at home.”
— Resident, Thomas Davis Street West
“I have four school age children and would love to see this plan implemented. At the moment I am too afraid to let them cycle with the current road layout.”
— Resident, CIE Works
“Inchicore village for years has been allowed to run down and many buildings are in a bad state of repair. Our village needs to be revamped and made more people friendly. This proposal helps make the village a friendlier place for the residents of the area.”
— Resident, Tyrconnell Park
“This is a radical and visionary plan that would transform Inchicore in the interests of those who live here.”
— Resident CIE Works
“A bold and brilliant plan that warrants serious consideration. Well done.”
— Resident, Abercorn Terrace