Dear Madam/Sir,

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this public consultation. I support and welcome the pedestrianisation of New Street and the associated public realm improvements. 

Reallocating street space to people from cars is welcome and will bring economic and social as well as environmental benefits to the town.  In particular, I commend the emphasis on greenery and accessibility which is evident throughout the scheme. 

I suggest the following measures to improve the scheme’s chances of success.

1. The focus on pedestrianisation and urban greening is welcome. In particular I commend the council on the emphasis on sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) that will both alleviate extreme rainwater events and provide space for nature. It will also support active travel (walking and cycling) for all.
2. The renewed conviviality that this scheme will bring to New Street is welcome, but brings its own challenges. The street should be well monitored by An Garda Síochána at night to preserve public order and prevent littering.
3. Venues’ use of speakers to play music outdoors is experienced as a nuisance by some. A requirement to turn this music off after 8:30pm may be appropriate.
4. Placement of outdoor seating, greenery, etc. should not obstruct access to the street. A free flow of pedestrians across the street will slow cyclists coming downhill from Church Road. 
5. Pedestrian crossings on Old Street and Townyard lane should be improved to account for the increased volumes of traffic these streets are experiencing.
6. I echo comments made by Cllr. David Healy that the replanting of trees should happen gradually and that all outdoor seating should be aesthetically pleasing and free from advertisements.
7. More generally, pedestrianisation will only lead to an increase in foot traffic if it is part of a general move away from car-centric design throughout Malahide village. Pedestrian crossings are too few and far between along The Mall to the East of New Street, and the proliferation of on-street parking makes life difficult for cyclists. Until these issues are addressed, schemes such as this will continue to be controversial with local residents who feel they must depend on their cars to get around.  

Thank you for taking these comments into consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Ciarán Cuffe

MEP for Dublin