Advancing Urban Mobility: The Clontarf to City Centre Active Travel Scheme

The completion of the Clontarf to City Centre Active Travel Scheme marks a significant milestone in Dublin’s commitment to sustainable urban transport. Stretching 2.7km from Clontarf Road to Amiens Street, this infrastructure project provides high-quality, segregated cycling facilities, improved pedestrian routes, and enhanced bus priority. As a primary artery in the Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan, the scheme facilitates safer, greener commuting for thousands of residents and visitors daily.

IPL group contributed a range of infrastructure solutions to this project, ensuring the new urban landscape is functional, durable, and aesthetically aligned with the unique character of the route.

Specialist Infrastructure Solutions for Modern Transit

To support the scheme’s goal of creating a safer and more accessible environment, IPL group supplied and commissioned a variety of essential street furniture and traffic management products. Our involvement focused on delivering long-term value through materials that withstand high-volume urban usage.

Sustainable Cycle Parking: Shannon Staple Bike Stands

Central to the scheme’s Active Travel mission is the provision of secure and accessible cycle parking. Our Shannon Staple Bike Stands were installed at key points along the route, including the link through Fairview Park. These stands offer robust and effective support for cyclists, encouraging the shift towards two-wheeled transit by providing reliable end-of-trip facilities.

Preserving Heritage: Swan Neck Decorative Tops

Maintaining the historic aesthetic of Dublin City was a key requirement for the lighting infrastructure along this route. IPL group supplied traditional Swan Neck decorative tops for the lighting columns. These components are specifically designed to replicate the classic Dublin style, allowing modern lighting infrastructure to integrate seamlessly with the city’s architectural heritage.

Heritage and Safety: Doric and Lighthouse Cast-Iron Bollards

Navigating the transition from the historic Amiens Street towards the coastal roads required a sensitive approach to streetscape design. IPL group supplied Doric and Lighthouse cast-iron bollards to provide necessary vehicle demarcation while maintaining a classic aesthetic. These cast-iron solutions are engineered for longevity, offering superior impact resistance and a finish that complements the surroundings.

Traffic Management: Hydro Rotating Cantilever Signal Poles

Efficiency at major junctions, most notably the Alfie Byrne Road intersection, is vital for bus priority and pedestrian safety. IPL group supplied Hydro Rotating Cantilever Traffic Signal Poles to facilitate optimal signal positioning over multiple lanes.

These specific units feature a rotating mechanism that significantly improves maintenance safety and efficiency. Operators can control the rotation using an internal winch located in a dedicated door compartment at ground level. This allows the cantilever arm to be swung away from live traffic for servicing, removing the need for extensive road closures or working directly over active carriage ways.

Security and Monitoring: Hydro Aluminium CCTV Poles

Additionally, Hydro Aluminium CCTV Poles were installed along the route to provide a stable and durable platform for traffic monitoring and public safety cameras. Being manufactured from aluminium, they offer excellent corrosion resistance and represent a sustainable choice for urban environments.

Passive Safety and Protection: X-Last Polymer Bollards

For areas where passive safety is a priority, such as roadside verges and segregated cycle lanes, IPL group utilised the X-Last range. These bollards occupy a unique performance position in urban safety. Unlike rigid steel or concrete, X-Last bollards are engineered to reduce the risk of head injury (HIC) for cyclists or pedestrians by up to ten times in the event of an impact.

Crucially, they remain stiff enough to act as a physical deterrent. At low speeds, they provide the protection of a traditional bollard by stopping vehicle encroachment, yet they are not immovable objects. This balance ensures that pedestrians are protected from traffic while the severity of harm to vulnerable road users is significantly minimised.

Engineering a Resilient Future

The Clontarf to City Centre Active Travel Scheme officially opened in November 2024, representing a bold step forward for Dublin City Council’s Active Travel Network. By combining global design standards with our understanding of local infrastructure needs, IPL group has helped deliver a scheme that balances modern functionality with environmental responsibility.

Our involvement in this project underscores the IPL group commitment to engineering infrastructure that stands the test of time, providing the foundation for a more connected and accessible city.