DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL has amended proposals to cut down 109-year-old trees in Fairview Park to make room for a new cycle way.
Plans to cut down the trees were met with strong resistance from local residents when announced earlier this year.
An online petition to save the trees from local woman Edel Leahy has received 12,970 supporters.
The trees were to be felled to make way for the Clontarf to City Centre cycle route, which would improve travelling to the city by bicycle.
A revised plan was circulated to councillors on the North Central Area Committee and Central Area Committee yesterday.
Under these revised plans, 42 of the 46 roadside trees will be retained.
In the circulated revised plans, DCC said that of the four trees being felled, two are noted to be in bad condition, one is thought to have a lifespan of 20 years and the other of 4o years.
“Delighted”
Commenting on the new proposal, Edel Leahy said that she was “delighted” the objectives of the group had been achieved.
“I am delighted that our sole objective of saving the Fairview Trees has been achieved,” she said.
“The residents of the local area and wider public who supported our campaign deserve great credit.
It shows that ‘people power’ can work when a serious wrong is being proposed. We also wish to thank the media who did so much to highlight our campaign.
Donna Cooney – local Green Party representative who has also been involved in the campaign – said that following on from this “victory” it was important that the council addressed other issues raised.
“It’s important that all issues of cycling and pedestrian safety outlined in our submission are addressed now, for the best possible design,” she said.
Local councillors Nial Ring and Damian O’Farrell also welcomed the new proposals.
“Dublin City Council has listened to the people and realised that no local councillor was going to support the destruction of such historically significant trees,” said Ring.
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