A key section of DCC’s BAP under ‘Theme 4 — building for biodiversity’ p34 says:
“Ireland has made a commitment under its National Biodiversity Action Plan to ensure no net loss of biodiversity, in line with international agreements. Dublin City Council has an obligation to ensure this in its plans and projects within the city.”
We are concerned that the current plan for the development of Phase 4 of the Royal Canal Greenway is not in line with this commitment, and could pose a threat to the current biodiversity that calls the Royal Canal home.
There are many concerns about the current plans as given for Phase 4 Greenway which include:
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Narrowing of the canal channel in three locations. The first section to be narrowed is for approx 600m west of Lock 6.
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Removal of native plant species for this narrowing process including how some of the hedgerow will be removed and how that can be managed without reinstating an ecologically much poorer equivalent..
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Managing inevitable species loss during the construction process.
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Installation of new public lighting where there has never been lighting previously that can introduce added light pollution into the city. This environment has always been a dark refuge for the protected light-sensitive Daubenton’s Bat to forage. This species suffers if Lux levels climb above 1.
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Worries planned creosote contaminant removal from the canal channel does not appear to seek to locate or remove the source of the contaminant.
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The application for an otter derogation licence from NPWS in February 2023.
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Increasing the speed of canal-side traffic due to use of scramblers, e-scooters and e-bikes.
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Lack of permeability in the plans especially from the Greenway from Glasnevin Ind Estate to Lock 6.
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No timeline for solving pinch-points such as the Irish Rail bridge narrow underpass near Cabra for Youth Allotments.
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No details on any new proposed fencing. Other Greenway projects have installed barriers to wildlife such as on the Meath Greenway.