R132 Connectivity Project

Fingal County Council in collaboration with the Planning Authority, is leading a major 3km long initiative to improve connectivity for the town of Swords, with a strong emphasis on safer, more accessible facilities for pedestrians and cyclists along the R132. 

The R132 Connectivity Project will deliver vital enhancements to both the safety and usability of the R132, increasing sightlines for drivers and making it easier and safer for people to travel along and across the route, where the speed limit is currently 80km/h. 

The project will particularly benefit those using sustainable modes of transport—such as buses, bicycles, walking and wheeling—while also improving conditions for all road users. The planned upgrade will focus on the section of the R132 which runs east of Swords Town Centre, from Pinnock Hill to the Estuary Roundabout.

A public consultation was launched in November 2020 inviting feedback from residents and stakeholders. Following this, detailed design proposals were submitted for planning permission in May 2021. In January 2022, approval was granted by An Bord Pleanála, marking a key milestone in delivering this important project. The R132 Connectivity Project is currently at detailed design stage which is now nearing completion and tendering processes will be undertaken in Q3 of 2025. Works are expected to begin in Q4 2025 and are estimated to take approximately 25 months to complete.

This project includes a range of improvements to pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure that will improve everyday connectivity for those living, working, and visiting the area:

• Carriageway changes from north of Pinnock Hill Roundabout to north of Estuary Roundabout including the establishment of designated bus lanes, cycle lanes and pedestrian walkways along each side of the carriageway, with a new reduced speed limit of 50km/h.
   
• Conversion of three existing roundabouts along the R132 (Estuary, Seatown and Malahide Road roundabouts) to signalised intersections with pedestrian and cyclist crossing points.
   
• Reconfiguration of the Drynam Road arm of the Malahide Road Roundabout to link directly to Malahide Road as a one-way road.
   
• Three new signalised crossing points at key locations to ensure connectivity with sustainable transport links at desire lines throughout the project:
  • North of Pinnock Hill Roundabout
  • Adjacent to existing Chapel Lane/Ashley Avenue overbridge
  • North of Estuary Roundabout
     
• Installation of turning areas at two separate points along the R132.

The benefits of the changes to the R132 will be improved safety for all road users, especially vulnerable road users, better connectivity between the East and West communities of Swords, and improved access to local Active Travel routes and sustainable public transport links such as bus stops, Bus Connects and MetroLink.