Malahide street and pedestrianisation

Sir, – Tom Sheedy (Letters, January 23rd) is well intentioned as he writes, in response to “Tensions flare over Malahide street pedestrianisation plan” (News Features, January 20th), that our only pedestrianised street in Malahide has distinct advantages over the rest of the town.

As a long-term Malahide resident, a mother of three active teenagers, a motorist, a dog walker and supporter of local retail, I and many others wonder why Fingal Council has chosen a 150m section of road fronted mainly by pubs and on a steep hill for pedestrianisation. Despite being touted as a flagship active travel initiative you can’t cycle on it and not a single car has been removed from our public realm. Cars, buses and taxis have been displaced to other local residential streets where the pollution and noise have increased. The council encourages cars to park for free nearby to come visit a car-free street.

The writer advocates for young children running around the street outside the pubs. I for one would rather children run around in the adjacent castle grounds playground and sports fields, on the village green or on the local beach.

Finally, I do not think it is a benefit that the first business to apply to open since the Fingal councillors voted to proceed with pedestrianisation is a vape shop. – Yours, etc,