Author: Christopher K. Manzira, Chartered Engineer, Dublin City Council

The Sutton to Sandycove (S2S) is one of Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority’s flagship cycling projects. A 2km section of cycleway along the South Bull Lagoon in Dollymount, North Dublin was built in a UNESCO Biosphere and Natura 2000 site, a location that is one of the most highly designated and ecologically sensitive sites in the world. 

The project provided the 2km missing link, thereby completing an 8km continuous promenade and cycleway around North Dublin Bay, whilst contributing to the overall national objective for a 25km long cycleway around Dublin Bay. The design sought to reallocate existing road space as much as possible thereby minimising encroachment and negative impacts on the lagoon. The project, designed by Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers and built by KN Networks Services was constructed over two years, from May 2015 to May 2017.

The completed project provides a world class recreational and commuter facility with unparalleled views of Dublin Bay and improved access to Bull Island Biosphere Reserve. When completed the full S2S route, which is a strategic national cycle route will be one of the longest coastal promenades in Europe contributing to the local and tourist facilities in the region.

The primary complexity and priority was the environmental protection of the South Bull Lagoon, particularly its fowl and mudflats.

Initially, it was proposed to restrict works to only the months of May to September, making a construction contract extremely difficult. 

Innovative construction methods and mitigation proposals from the design and construction environmental team made it possible for works to be undertaken all year round, with the exception of works within the lagoon that could not be carried out during the core bird wintering period of November to March inclusive. Project Ecologists monitored bird numbers to ensure that the wintering wildfowl population wasn’t affected during the works. Ecologists will continue to monitor bird populations until April 2019.

*This is the first article of the series #VC19 Dublin cases, seeking to explore the Velo-city 2019 Dublin theme and sub-themes through local case studies straight from Dublin!
*Don't miss an update - Follow us on Social Media to stay up to date: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn
*Signup to the Velo-city Newsletter on the VC19 Dublin website www.velo-city2019.com