Locals Hit Out At Pedestrianisation Of Parts Of Malahide

A pilot project to pedestrianise parts of Malahide has come in for opposition from some locals.

The aim of the Fingal County Council initiative is to encourage walking and cycling, encourage social distancing, and reduce car use.

It's been in place for three weeks and local businesses and residents have started a campaign to highlight their objections to changes.

Co-founder of Save Malahide Village Trish Murtagh says it's had a negative impact on businesses:

"The main artery in the village has been completely pedestrianised, it has had a huge impact on business, a huge drop in footfall.

"It has had a dreadful impact on our neighbours and the residents who live here in the village, and generally in the actual function of the village and traffic flow.

"Everything has been affected by this and 99% of it is negative unfortunately."

Fingal County Council says: "Prior to the implementation of the scheme, the plan was presented to key stakeholder groups including Malahide Chamber of Commerce, Shop Malahide, Malahide Tidy Towns and  Malahide Community Forum. Councillors on the Howth-Malahide Area Committee also approved the pilot initiative following a briefing from Council officials.

"The measures are being closely monitored and reviewed by Council engineers and reviewed at intervals as the Government restrictions change."

Photo: Facebook SaveMalahideVillage