The new BusConnects plan for Finglas brings some positives – the F1 and F2 will be 24 hour services with high frequency, and the new 24 route will connect Finglas directly to Dublin Airport. But a bus services aren't just about connecting suburbs to the city centre in the fastest way possible. The need for local connections to shops, schools, community facilities, family and friends  is vitally important. These are the everyday journeys that hold our community together. If these local links disappear, people will face longer journeys, overcrowded buses and possible isolation, hitting older people and those with disabilities the hardest. Sign and share this petition to ensure our voices are heard and that we have a bus service works for everyone in Finglas!

The Clonlara residing along the R463 would like to request the support of all residents of Clonlara for the following reasons: • Improved accessibility for those of us at these addresses means more economic activity in Clonlara village.   • It would allow us to access bars and restaurants. It would also create a higher footfall for the village shop which has now closed twice previously due to this challenge. It would increase bus service user numbers thus ensuring the service is not cancelled and more bus services may be added. • It would reduce traffic at Clonlara bridge as many would choose to walk and cycle such a short distance rather than sit on the bridge in traffic. • It would bring members from your community who are currently not spending time in the village due to a lack of accessibility across the bridge and create a more unified community.   We would also like to request the support of those who have  accessibility concerns for relatives living in the area. We thank you all for your support on this matter.

It will benefit businesses, public & taxi drivers.

Severely impacts people travelling to work, school, college. Especially people such as myself living on the border between zones Public transport becomes generally more expensive than just buying a car and fuelling up weekly. 

Athy is a growing commuter town that has an overreliance on private transport. We need to increase our level of investment in public transport, particularly in rural areas where the need is greatest and growing. Irish Rail must increase the frequency of the Waterford to Dublin Heuston route, which serves Athy. This must begin with increasing the number of trains and carriages, while working towards having an hourly service. “With new DART+ fleets coming on stream through 2027 and 2028, the hope is that this will free up carriages for elsewhere. Commuter towns on the Waterford to Hesuston line must be the first location for these additional carriages. I receive daily reports and calls about the overcrowding on the current service. Government, through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Irish Rail, must expand these train services and match that ambition with the investment required. The reply that I received from Irish Rail states that the introduction of additional services will be subject to demand and NTA approval.  I am asking all those using Athy train station and those living in the surrounding area to sign the petition which I will bring to the NTA and the Minister for Transport. The town must future proof itself by availing of potential opportunities like this. We cannot leave rural communities like Athy, behind when it comes to public transport.”

There was a pedestrian crossing for years beside a busy bus stop, right at the door of Centra and it was an extremely helpful safety feature. It’s been replaced with just a painted stop line—no signage, and no proper protection for pedestrians and no warning for drivers. The Council don’t have any plans to add  signage either.  Despite concerns already raised, Wicklow County Council has confirmed it will not be reinstated, advising instead that the public simple needs to “be alert” when crossing. This is not good enough. We need safe infrastructure, not vague advice. Local TD Jennifer Whitmore has supported contact with the Council, but they need to hear from more of us. Cars, vans, and delivery trucks drive straight over the line without stopping until they reach the main road. This is a serious risk to public safety.

Make my village safer – install bollards in Ballina, Co Tipperary.

The only thing that will block the trial now is if there is not enough leadership. So, as well as signing this petition, please contact your local Dublin councillors to ask them to support this project as it has city-wide benefits. A list of councillors to contact can be found on a page at dublincity.ie. This is a council issue, but TDs have involved themselves, so, if you have the time, please also contact your local TDs, especially Dublin Bay South TDs. Some background:  Over 4 years ago, the High Court blocked a trial of the Strand Road cycle path. The case had a chilling effect on the roll-out of safer and more climate-friendly streets. But last month, the Court of Appeal found that the High Court judgment was flawed on all substantive points. However, despite the council's success after a long legal battle, the public funding used to rightly defend their position, and strong reasoning for proceeding with the trial, some local Sandymount groups and politicians are still attempting to block this city-wide issue.  The following are reasons why the project should be trialled:  (1) This is a city-wide issue A ~3.5km cycle path on Beach Road, Strand Road and onto the Merrion Road will provide the first such cycle route crossing administrative borders in the south side of the city. This is not only a local Sandymount issue. It will both help local children cycle to school and allow commuters and others to go greater distances. Combined with the existing coastal route built by DLRCC, the route would total 10km with connections to other routes at both ends. It won’t be all perfect at first, but it will be a huge leap forward in providing a relatively continuous, safe and attractive route. The evidence is clear that cycle paths encourage more people to cycle. A 10km route does not mean that everybody is going to start cycling that distance. Some will, while others will use different parts of the route along the way, with links to other routes. (2) Strongly vindicated after a long legal battle Dublin City Council has been strongly vindicated. The claims that these relatively minor interventions in terms of the level of construction would need planning and detailed environmental assessment have been blown out of the water by the Court of Appeal. Despite claims from some objectors, the ruling was a stinging defeat, with all substantive points made overturned.  After such a clear decision following the spending of a significant amount of public money to defend the case, there is a moral duty for Dublin City Council to proceed with the trial. The now-overturned High Court ruling also had huge cost implications and caused a slowdown in project delivery.  (3) If the sky falls in, it can be reversed Because the trial involves reallocating existing road space, it can be trialled rather quickly and without too much expense. And, if the sky falls in, it can be reversed. We have decades of evidence and examples showing that traffic does not act the way most people think it does. The Irish Water’s works in late 2022 and early 2023, which made Strand Road one-way for months, provide a good indication that the sky will not fall in — we first heard from supportive residents saying so and then from data confirming this.  Some claim that the road needs to be kept two-way because of new housing around the Glass Bottle, but continuing the status quo will just mean the new residents adding to gridlock. A shift in approach is needed. With the road made one-way and the cycle route in place, it will have the added positive effect of providing many people with an alternative transport option and allow for wider monitoring to see if making the road one-way is overall beneficial. (4) A route “on the green areas” could take 15+ years The cycle route cannot be easily built off-road “in the park” on green areas. People claiming an off-road option is a real alternative to a project which can be trialled within weeks are not dealing with the facts. The green areas at Sandymount Promenade are not continuous. The gaps are effectively part of Dublin Bay, which is a protected area and an UNESCO Biosphere. When the sections of the bay were filled in, EU-level environmental protections were not in place. This is also not just something abstract. Outside the wall on Strand Road are rocks that serve as nesting areas for birds and other habitats. Ireland generally lags behind in its protection of natural areas.  The gap also includes a section where a path would have to be built between houses and the coast, potentially sparking stronger objections and further legal challenges. A suggestion of traffic lights to keep two-way traffic here is not viable, especially given the railway level crossing. Such an option would be more disruptive and a threat to safety at the level crossing. (5) The need for climate action Transport is Ireland’s second-largest sector for greenhouse gas emissions, but the binding emission reduction targets are likely not to be reached. The signees of this petition believe we should try harder. Some people are dismissive of cycling provision as climate action, yet the IPCC has highlighted it as a means of ramping up action. (6) We need to get moving, and wider health benefits are strong Inactivity is another crisis we are facing, yet, it hardly ever gets the attention it deserves. Besides a set amount of people who are willing and able to go to the gym etc, research shows that most people can see better outcomes by integrating activity into their daily lives.  The health benefits of cycling as a mode of transport can also be wide-ranging, including a reduction in air pollution and a decrease in harmful noise levels. (7) Cycle paths improve road safety for all road users Another element of cycle routes is road safety — cycle paths are often traffic calming in their own right, and evidence shows that building cycle routes can make roads safer for all users.

Catering services were removed from the Sligo-Dublin train at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, and despite assurances given by Irish Rail that they were to be restored to all Intercity services by the end of 2024 at the latest, they remain suspended.   The catering cart provides much needed refreshment and sustenance to individuals and families travelling on the 216km long journey which takes over 3-hours.   This is especially the case for people travelling from Sligo to Dublin on the early train, which departs Sligo at 05:40, before local shops and cafes open, and the last train from Dublin which arrives at 22:35, after they have closed.   A significant number of passengers utilising the rail service are elderly, or are travelling, often with children, in order to attend medical appointments. For these people, the absence of a catering cart represents a negative experience that exceeds inconvenience, and compromises the accessibility and quality of service on offer. https://www.uplift.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MyUplift-banner-politician-SVG.svg

We have been informed that both Buncrana and Letterkenny Fire Services are facing a drastic reduction in resources. This includes the removal of our second fire engine, a significant cut in crew numbers, and, in the case of Letterkenny, the loss of the vital water tanker and incident command vehicle. These resources are essential for effectively responding to emergencies and ensuring the safety of both the public and our firefighters. The decision to implement these cuts has been presented to us as a fait accompli, with management stating that the changes will proceed regardless of our concerns. We were told, "if you don't like it, take us to court." This dictatorial approach is deeply disrespectful and undermines the vital role we play in protecting our community. We are particularly troubled by the justification given for these cuts. We are being told that these reductions are a consequence of firefighters seeking a better work-life balance. While we firmly believe in the importance of work-life balance for all workers, including firefighters, we refuse to accept that the safety of our community should be compromised as a result. It is unconscionable to punish firefighters for seeking reasonable working conditions, and, more importantly, to punish the public by diminishing the emergency services they rely upon. These cuts will have a devastating impact. Fewer firefighters and fewer resources mean slower response times, increased risk to both firefighters and the public, and a diminished ability to effectively handle complex emergencies. The loss of the water tanker in Letterkenny, for example, will severely hamper our ability to fight fires, especially in areas with limited water supply.

To make the Cleveragh area more safe and accessible for everyone. So that we can all access the beautiful surrounds and facilities safely.  

This will be an important resource for local fitness & possibly allow us to organise a weekly park run.