Malahide to Donabate... shortcut?

odyssey06

Heya,

Looking at the road maps I think the answer to this question is no, but just wanted to double check...

Is there any shortcut or scenic drive via car going from Malahide to Donabate? I'd prefer not to have to go back out towards Swords onto the motorway \ old Swords Road.

And pre-empting any clever posts, my car is not am amphibious vehicle so my scenic drive cannot involve going over water... Although a Duck (DUKW) tour of the Malahide estuary would be cool!

Cheers.

LXFlyer

odyssey06 wrote: »

Heya,

Looking at the road maps I think the answer to this question is no, but just wanted to double check...

Is there any shortcut or scenic drive via car going from Malahide to Donabate? I'd prefer not to have to go back out towards Swords onto the motorway \ old Swords Road.

And pre-empting any clever posts, my car is not am amphibious vehicle so my scenic drive cannot involve going over water... Although a Duck (DUKW) tour of the Malahide estuary would be cool!

Cheers.

Irish Rail:
http://www.irishrail.ie/media/15-braydublindundalk1.pdf

GLaDOS

Moved to Dublin County North

micraX

You can drive along the coast but only when the tide is out and it's dry. Havent tried it the micra yet but I will someday.

The Hill Billy

You are not permitted to drive on beaches in Fingal other than in areas specially designated for driving.

See here, page 5.

micraX

The Hill Billy wrote: »

You are not permitted to drive on beaches in Fingal other than in areas specially designated for driving.

See here, page 5.

It's not a beach and theres no signs telling you not to and it's access to fields so I think you can drive.

seagull

micraX wrote: »

You can drive along the coast but only when the tide is out and it's dry. Havent tried it the micra yet but I will someday.

How do you plan to get across the mouth of the estuary?

micraX

Theres a road, the one where you go to feed the swans;)

micraX

The tide was in when google took this but you'll get the idea.

gesler

No, no shortcut

bcmf

I know exactly where you are talking about.
Be a fairly risky move to drive across when the tide is out.
Something goes wrong (flat tyre) and you are really against the clock.

odyssey06

I think I half-remember someone saying that they had gone from Malahide to Donabate but looking at the map I couldn't figure out how... must have been taking this approach at low tide - of course, they could have just been bigging up however far they had got. Thanks for helping to clear it up for me.

Unshelved

There was talk, when they rebuilt the railway bridge at the Estuary, of putting in a footpath and cycle path alongside the railway. Does anyone know if anything has come of that?

BKWDR

Unshelved wrote: »

There was talk, when they rebuilt the railway bridge at the Estuary, of putting in a footpath and cycle path alongside the railway. Does anyone know if anything has come of that?

Yeah think it was part of a Development Plan for the cycle way down the coast. It's still on the table if i recall just like anything comes down to coin. The damage to the line over the estuary i think set it back too...

BTW that cross route at low tide is lunacy. I would not be reccommending that to anyone to shave off a few minutes of a journey

pinkypinky

I've done it on a bike and ended up having to carry my bike across a 50cm ledge or risk cycling through knee high water. It was perilous.

The Hill Billy

micraX wrote: »

It's not a beach and theres no signs telling you not to and it's access to fields so I think you can drive.

It looks like part of the route includes foreshore which is covered by beach bye-laws.
As stated in the doc I had linked - you can only drive on beach/foreshore in designated areas. There are none on that route.

seagull

micraX wrote: »

Theres a road, the one where you go to feed the swans;)

But to get there, you've already gone round the estuary and most of the way back to the Swords road. Which means that it's no longer a short cut.

micraX

seagull wrote: »

But to get there, you've already gone round the estuary and most of the way back to the Swords road. Which means that it's no longer a short cut.

Well ring up the boys on top gear and make a "Toybota" or something, the op says that's the way he was thinking I never said it was a short cut, just said it was a way.

micraX

The Hill Billy wrote: »

It looks like part of the route includes foreshore which is covered by beach bye-laws.
As stated in the doc I had linked - you can only drive on beach/foreshore in designated areas. There are none on that route.

But it was a right of way years ago how can they stop you? Its access to fields too like so I'd say it's commonly driven on.

The Hill Billy

Don't shoot the messenger.

sharkman

The stretch from Seapoint to Ballymadrough was passable in times gone by and I have driven it in the far distant past . Not too sure of the condition of the road or whether it still actually remains .

Alan Farrell

Believe it or not, you can actually drive around the estuary as there is a road which continues on past Prospect House (near the Swans mentioned earlier) but its tidal. I recall years ago doing it in a 4 wheel drive. It leads to Newport House where you can rejoin the road which rejoins the Hearse Road, after some driving. Its not exactly practical as you'd need a very low tide to do it in a regular car. Not recommended!

pauliebdub

bcmf wrote: »

I know exactly where you are talking about.
Be a fairly risky move to drive across when the tide is out.
Something goes wrong (flat tyre) and you are really against the clock.

That roadway is also very slippery so might not be suitable for driving on.

P_1

Alan Farrell wrote: »

Believe it or not, you can actually drive around the estuary as there is a road which continues on past Prospect House (near the Swans mentioned earlier) but its tidal. I recall years ago doing it in a 4 wheel drive. It leads to Newport House where you can rejoin the road which rejoins the Hearse Road, after some driving. Its not exactly practical as you'd need a very low tide to do it in a regular car. Not recommended!

What's the status of the proposed walkway/cycle track along the railway viaduct? The foundations have been in place for it for a few years now with seemingly no progress on adding a deck to them.

Collibosher

P_1 wrote: »

What's the status of the proposed walkway/cycle track along the railway viaduct? The foundations have been in place for it for a few years now with seemingly no progress on adding a deck to them.

The last I heard, there were objections by landowners to the path going through their land on the way to Newbridge House.

Alan Farrell

P_1 wrote: »

What's the status of the proposed walkway/cycle track along the railway viaduct? The foundations have been in place for it for a few years now with seemingly no progress on adding a deck to them.

Do you mean the "temporary" road used to repair the railway bridge?

That work was purely to repair the bridge although I understand its being left there to offer additional protection against erosion. It will also form part of the orbital route if it ever goes ahead.

The Department gave the Council just over €100k either last year or the year before to conduct the necessary process to ascertain what would be required to complete the project. There was also a public display process for where it would come from and go to etc.

I don't have a link handy but I'm sure if you search the council website you'll get more details.

Personally, I'd be all for it, as I was when I was a councillor. Its a beautiful area and would be terrific to have public access for recreation etc.

I do recall some concerned being raised by landowners on the Donabate side plus I recall residents on Hanlons Lane not being too happy with their road being used (as it is very narrow at one end and can't be widened.). That being said, I'm sure your local Councillors would hammer out a deal if the project was funded.

P_1

Alan Farrell wrote: »

Do you mean the "temporary" road used to repair the railway bridge?

That work was purely to repair the bridge although I understand its being left there to offer additional protection against erosion. It will also form part of the orbital route if it ever goes ahead.

The Department gave the Council just over €100k either last year or the year before to conduct the necessary process to ascertain what would be required to complete the project. There was also a public display process for where it would come from and go to etc.

I don't have a link handy but I'm sure if you search the council website you'll get more details.

Personally, I'd be all for it, as I was when I was a councillor. Its a beautiful area and would be terrific to have public access for recreation etc.

I do recall some concerned being raised by landowners on the Donabate side plus I recall residents on Hanlons Lane not being too happy with their road being used (as it is very narrow at one end and can't be widened.). That being said, I'm sure your local Councillors would hammer out a deal if the project was funded.

Well that combined with the piers(?) that are right beside the bridge section of the viaduct, I had a feeling that the road on the Malahide side was built for access when they were rebuilding the bridge.

whomitconcerns

I took the A6 for a spin on that road last Saturday...erm....wastnt a well thought plan..eroded road edge straight into the estuary on one side and parked cars on the other...if your car is tiny it might be fun...twas squeaky bum time and I turned around as soon as it widened out :P

Alan Farrell wrote: »

Believe it or not, you can actually drive around the estuary as there is a road which continues on past Prospect House (near the Swans mentioned earlier) but its tidal. I recall years ago doing it in a 4 wheel drive. It leads to Newport House where you can rejoin the road which rejoins the Hearse Road, after some driving. Its not exactly practical as you'd need a very low tide to do it in a regular car. Not recommended!

T-Maxx

whomitconcerns wrote: »

I took the A6 for a spin on that road last Saturday...erm....wastnt a well thought plan..eroded road edge straight into the estuary on one side and parked cars on the other...if your car is tiny it might be fun...twas squeaky bum time and I turned around as soon as it widened out :P

Thinly veiled "I've got a big A6 everybody!" post.

Not that an A6 is that big either mind you.

whomitconcerns

T-Maxx wrote: »

Thinly veiled "I've got a big A6 everybody!" post.

Not that an A6 is that big either mind you.

well no it wasnt...and yes it is quite wide i think you will find...but your helpful & constructive post will no doubt be great for the OP

T-Maxx

whomitconcerns wrote: »

well no it wasnt...and yes it is quite wide i think you will find...but your helpful & constructive post will no doubt be great for the OP

Maybe the OP also has a 'wide' A6.

Eamo71

micraX wrote: »

It's not a beach and theres no signs telling you not to and it's access to fields so I think you can drive.

As someone who lived in Swords for 33 out of my 43 years please do not follow that poster's advice and drive around the coast when the tide is out. Good grief.

T-Maxx

whomitconcerns wrote: »

well no it wasnt...and yes it is quite wide i think you will find...but your helpful & constructive post will no doubt be great for the OP

Maybe the OP also has a 'wide' A6.

The Hill Billy

That is enough.

tHB

micraX

T-Maxx wrote: »

Thinly veiled "I've got a big A6 everybody!" post.

Not that an A6 is that big either mind you.

my user name suggests i'v a Micra:pac::pac::pac::pac:

ThunbergsAreGo

In the process of buying in Donabate, I would love if there was a walkway to Malahide!

It seems like a logical idea which would provide a nice walk (the Castle to Newbridge was suggested) but cannot help feel like it will never happen

Tropheus

naughtb4 wrote: »

In the process of buying in Donabate, I would love if there was a walkway to Malahide!

It seems like a logical idea which would provide a nice walk (the Castle to Newbridge was suggested) but cannot help feel like it will never happen

There are long term plans for a walkway that will go along by the railway bridge across the estuary. However, we have no idea when or if it will ever happen.

Here is a good local website for Donabate/Portrane - www.donabateportrane.net

Wishbone Ash

pauliebdub wrote: »

That roadway is also very slippery so might not be suitable for driving on.

It's a bit slippery alright but surprisingly intact for a road which spends half it's life under water. I've cycled it several times.

JumpShivers

Bit of a thread bump.

The road down to the swans, local access only atm... I'm assuming it's because of the weather lately?

Tropheus

JumpShivers wrote: »

Bit of a thread bump.

The road down to the swans, local access only atm... I'm assuming it's because of the weather lately?

It's a cul-de-sac so I'd say that's why it's local access only.

The Muppet

Tropheus wrote: »

It's a cul-de-sac so I'd say that's why it's local access only.

It's only a Cul De Sac when the tide is in.

pinkypinky

Looks like major work on the bridge - there's a crane this morning.

Carawaystick

fingal co co report on the proposed walking/cycling path
http://www.fingalcoco.ie/media/Public%20Consultation%20Report%20Nov%202014.pdf

PWEI

pinkypinky wrote: »

Looks like major work on the bridge - there's a crane this morning.

The bridge is still closed. Anybody know what's going on?

When I go running in Balheary Park, I sometimes go down that road.

PWEI

Alan Farrell wrote: »

Believe it or not, you can actually drive around the estuary as there is a road which continues on past Prospect House (near the Swans mentioned earlier) but its tidal. I recall years ago doing it in a 4 wheel drive. It leads to Newport House where you can rejoin the road which rejoins the Hearse Road, after some driving. Its not exactly practical as you'd need a very low tide to do it in a regular car. Not recommended!

Sorry for bumping up an old thread.

Was out walking my dog up that way the other day when the tide was out.
It's definitely doable but I would only try it in a 4x4 & there's still a possibility of getting stuck in muck.
It's a lovely walk though.

Allyall

Alan Farrell wrote: »

Do you mean the "temporary" road used to repair the railway bridge?

That work was purely to repair the bridge although I understand its being left there to offer additional protection against erosion. It will also form part of the orbital route if it ever goes ahead.

The Department gave the Council just over €100k either last year or the year before to conduct the necessary process to ascertain what would be required to complete the project. There was also a public display process for where it would come from and go to etc.

I don't have a link handy but I'm sure if you search the council website you'll get more details.

Personally, I'd be all for it, as I was when I was a councillor. Its a beautiful area and would be terrific to have public access for recreation etc.

I do recall some concerned being raised by landowners on the Donabate side plus I recall residents on Hanlons Lane not being too happy with their road being used (as it is very narrow at one end and can't be widened.). That being said, I'm sure your local Councillors would hammer out a deal if the project was funded.

You are being misled..

There was 30k a month or week or fortnight? on the green cranes that were there. (I have no idea how much a crane costs, but it was definitely 30k per.....)

The pillars or whatever you call them are there, ready for the concrete overpass to be planted on top of them.
Fianna Fail are waiting to get back in, before they announce that they have finished that walkway/crossover/"Orbital Route".

That hasn't been a rumour for a long time (Since before the last general election), and it is known that it is going ahead.
It was initially the reinforcement of the railway itself that spurred the rumours, and probably what encouraged the idea, but it is definitely going ahead.

Not the railway bridge/viaduct repair. That collapsed after the initial reinfocing. It's probably what weakened it.

I'm very surprised you don't know more about that, and what problems the rock borders around the Estuary are causing....

I don't even live there.

Alan Farrell

Allyall wrote: »

You are being misled..

There was 30k a month or week or fortnight? on the green cranes that were there. (I have no idea how much a crane costs, but it was definitely 30k per.....)

The pillars or whatever you call them are there, ready for the concrete overpass to be planted on top of them.
Fianna Fail are waiting to get back in, before they announce that they have finished that walkway/crossover/"Orbital Route".

That hasn't been a rumour for a long time (Since before the last general election), and it is known that it is going ahead.
It was initially the reinforcement of the railway itself that spurred the rumours, and probably what encouraged the idea, but it is definitely going ahead.

Not the railway bridge/viaduct repair. That collapsed after the initial reinfocing. It's probably what weakened it.

I'm very surprised you don't know more about that, and what problems the rock borders around the Estuary are causing....

I don't even live there.

Haven't logged in, in quite some time.

There are piers present on the site, running parallel to the railway line. They were installed at the time of the bridge collapse and are actually the tops of sunken posts which were hammered into the soil beneath in order to provide rigidity for the entire structure.

The go ahead for the orbital route is entirely dependent on funding from the Department of Transport, Environment and/or Fingal County Council but is also subject to the planning process.

If the specific funding for the walkway were to be granted, the plan would not proceed until the entire route was planning approved. To my knowledge, that has not yet occurred and would also require CPO's as landowners on the Donabate side are not all that pleased with the idea of unfettered access to their lands.

Let me just be very specific in my next comment. No work occurred on the viaduct prior to the collapse of the bridge. Tidal erosion, as found by a manuscript sized report from a consultant engineer proved this.

A plan was mooted in, as far as I can recall, 2004 or 2005 to "explore" the concept of an orbital route and was in the Development Plan of the Council thereafter. No funding was allocated to explore the possibility until provided by the then Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar. This was followed up by Paschal Donohoe last year, if I recall.

It might be the case that Fingal County Council allocated some of their own money toward looking at this project and as mentioned previously on this thread, a public consultation process did occur for what would happen after you left he viaduct path, i.e. where would the footfall be directed.

Alan Farrell

PWEI wrote: »

It's a lovely walk though.

It is, I did it in June. The weather helped.

Its a bit tight in places which can cause problems passing people. The other problem is discarded litter, which is a shame.

Allyall

Alan Farrell wrote: »

There are piers present on the site, running parallel to the railway line. They were installed at the time of the bridge collapse and are actually the tops of sunken posts which were hammered into the soil beneath in order to provide rigidity for the entire structure.

Yep, I wouldn't call them "piers".
But they are the objects I was referring to for the pathway to be placed on top to continue.

Alan Farrell wrote: »

Let me just be very specific in my next comment. No work occurred on the viaduct prior to the collapse of the bridge. Tidal erosion, as found by a manuscript sized report from a consultant engineer proved this.

True, but work did occur on the *motte, to reinforce it, and stop it from slipping into the estuary.
As a result, many people thought that there was a passage being put in place, which probably (no doubt) resulted in the 'plan' for the "orbital route".

That and the Casino Malahide have stopped for reasons that escape me.
I believe if the Casino had gone ahead, it already would have earned it's cost.
I also am aware that an ex-politician was appointed trustee of it. Probably why nothing has been done with it. Waiting until his lot get back in power.

(back on the route)
Funny how those farmers had agreed to let it go ahead when the other shower were in power (If we are to believe them). They must've gone to them with a very lucrative offer.


I have been in Malahide twice this past month, and will be again for their festival, the place looks like it has been paused. That 'orbital route' in particular looks disgraceful. Railings surrounding a perfectly good area for no reason.
They should have been taken away with the cranes and other stuff.
That area used to be (and should still be) beautiful to sit down and relax, especially in the summer. Now it has been turned into a wasteland with nothing growing in it and for some daft reason railings to prevent people from sitting there. They could have put one railing down the walkway and that would stop people walking it (or at least be as effective as the current one).

The Casino looks disgraceful too. Why isn't there at least somebody keeping the building looking cared for.



*I don't know/can't think of the correct term for a man made hill that is used for train tracks.

micraX

Allyall wrote: »

Yep, I wouldn't call them "piers".
But they are the objects I was referring to for the pathway to be placed on top to continue.


True, but work did occur on the *motte, to reinforce it, and stop it from slipping into the estuary.
As a result, many people thought that there was a passage being put in place, which probably (no doubt) resulted in the 'plan' for the "orbital route".

That and the Casino Malahide have stopped for reasons that escape me.
I believe if the Casino had gone ahead, it already would have earned it's cost.
I also am aware that an ex-politician was appointed trustee of it. Probably why nothing has been done with it. Waiting until his lot get back in power.

(back on the route)
Funny how those farmers had agreed to let it go ahead when the other shower were in power (If we are to believe them). They must've gone to them with a very lucrative offer.


I have been in Malahide twice this past month, and will be again for their festival, the place looks like it has been paused. That 'orbital route' in particular looks disgraceful. Railings surrounding a perfectly good area for no reason.
They should have been taken away with the cranes and other stuff.
That area used to be (and should still be) beautiful to sit down and relax, especially in the summer. Now it has been turned into a wasteland with nothing growing in it and for some daft reason railings to prevent people from sitting there. They could have put one railing down the walkway and that would stop people walking it (or at least be as effective as the current one).

The Casino looks disgraceful too. Why isn't there at least somebody keeping the building looking cared for.



*I don't know/can't think of the correct term for a man made hill that is used for train tracks.

Farmers let what go exactly

Allyall

micraX wrote: »

Farmers let what go exactly

Allegedly the farmers had agreed terms with FF to allow some form of pathway to go around the Broadmeadows estuary, anywhere that it may have encroached or be forced to go into their land.