Sustainable Swords Frequently Asked Questions

The purpose of this project is to produce a place-making strategy focused on the strategic regeneration and compact, sustainable development of Swords. The objective is to increase the resilience of the local economy and to provide for an enhanced, accessible, inclusive, child-friendly and healthy urban environment.

This project is an output of strategic documents, including ‘Your Swords – An Emerging City - Strategic Vision 2035’ and the current Fingal Development Plan 2017-2023. The vision of the former is to consolidate and strengthen the historic town centre of Swords whilst the latter describes several specific objectives for the town centre within the context of a plan-led development strategy.

Given the critical role that Swords town centre plays in the local community, it is imperative that the Study Area, particularly Main Street and associated pedestrian linkages, contributes towards the quality of life of the local residents whilst respecting the natural environment and historic context of the area.

The ambition is for this strategy to form a coordinating device and that will establish a package of measures and projects that are prioritised, programmed and impactful, and that will enable the coordination of investment and decision-making across multiple stakeholders, maximising private sector engagement and identifying synergies and opportunities.

The strategy must not only be grounded in through evidential research, but also build upon and be cognisant of previous work undertaken for Swords, and research and consultation undertaken to inform previous plans and strategies. This includes the Swords Castle Cultural Quarter (SCQ) project as well as wider town centre objectives outlined in Your Swords Strategic Vision.

The aim is to identify a coordinated range of ‘pipeline’ projects that can be funded as part of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF).

Key objectives for Sustainable Swords are to:

• Enhance the identity of the town centre through the: development of Swords Civic Centre and Cultural Centre; the on-going implementation of the conservation plan for Swords Castle; and the delivery of an enhanced accessible child-friendly public realm including new public nodes in Swords Town Centre.
• Facilitate the creation of a new street /pedestrian walkway fronting the river walk to the west of Main Street opening up these ‘backlands’ and support co-ordinated infill development on key strategic sites along Main Street and North Street.
• Promote core recreational and amenity spaces, utilising in particular Ward River Valley Park, Swords Cultural Quarter including Town Park, Ward River Walk west of Main Street area.
• Explore the potential of establishing a Swords Business Improvement District (BID).
• Expand upon the recommendations in the Swords section of the South Fingal Transport Study and develop a multi-modal transport strategy for Swords informed by in-depth research and analysis.
• Support community cohesion measures including, for example, establish a collaborative ‘what works’ approach to promoting safer neighbourhoods and reducing antisocial behaviour to enable everyone to contribute to a sense of well-being within an improved quality of life.
• Measures to enable regeneration of lands within the study area to ensure rejuvenation of the town centre and to enable activation of land for compact development.
• Establish a prioritised, programmed and impactful package of measures and projects.

Sustainable development means balancing development and growth with between the needs of a growing world population and the finite resources and health of our planet. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were published by the United Nations in 2015 are the most comprehensive call for action and pathway towards achieving sustainable development by 2030.

There are 17 goals each of which are interrelated and underlaid by a comprehensive list of targets (169 in total) that are measured by specific indicators. Sustainable Swords will align with the SDGs and seek to achieve lasting outcomes for the society and the planet (i.e. people and environment within Swords) whilst recognising the symbiotic relationship between physical and ecological systems, human activities and social capital (particularly within the Swords Castle – Ward River Valley Park corridor and along Main Street).

The project team will undertake a benchmarking exercise to compare against the SDGs and seek to deliver outcomes that align with the SGDs, with particular attention given to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals to ensure a people-friendly and partnership-driven approach to deliver ‘Sustainable Swords’.

The R132 connectivity project is planned to begin in Q2 2026.

Works are envisaged to take 25 months to complete

 The purpose of the R132 Connectivity Project is to make it safer and more convenient for people to walk, cycle, access public transport and travel along the R132. It aims to improve connections for pedestrians and cyclists and to enhance facilities for all road users, with a focus on more sustainable transport options.

Yes. Before starting work, the contractor submitted a Traffic Management Plan explaining how traffic would be managed. They also applied for a Road Opening Licence. The Council reviewed this plan as part of that process and approved it before the works began.

Emergency services were consulted before the works began, and their access requirements have been fully met bus operators (Dublin Bus, Go Ahead, Swords Express, Bus Éireann, etc.) and local schools have been informed of the arrangements by the Council and the contractor. A Health and Safety Officer is also on site to ensure access and safety are managed properly.

 The three existing roundabouts on the R132 (Estuary, Seatown and Malahide Road) will be upgraded to traffic‑light controlled junctions.

• New traffic‑light crossings for pedestrians and cyclists will be installed at three locations along the R132.
• New and improved bus stops will be provided on Malahide Road.
• New and improved walking routes will be created.
• Changes will be made to the road layout to improve safety and traffic flow.
• Landscaping and other supporting works will also be carried out.

The compound in Balheary Park has been designed to keep traffic moving safely and smoothly. It will have a one way system with a separate entrance and exit, as well as an off‑road waiting area so construction vehicles do not queue on the public road. These measures will help ensure minimal impact on Balheary Road and on access to Swords Business Campus throughout the works.

No. The compound in Balheary Park will remain in place for the full duration of the R132 Connectivity Works, which is expected to be 25 months.

No. The alternative area on the R132 side does not have enough space to safely accommodate the compound. After assessment, the current location was found to be the only suitable option to support the project.

The R132 Connectivity Project aims to improve safety for all road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists. It also strengthens long‑term links between communities and supports future public transport projects such as MetroLink. The new design introduces safer junctions and dedicated active travel routes. Traffic and environmental concerns were fully assessed during the planning process. The project received planning permission following detailed studies, and it must now proceed as approved.

During peak hours (6:30am–10:00am and 4:00pm–7:30pm), two lanes will remain open in both directions to keep traffic moving. During off peak hours, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction to allow roadworks to proceed.

There will be VMS signs along the route from the M1/ R132 interchange right though to Pinnock hill. The messages will be updated weekly to reflect any changes happening in that week. More detailed information will be published weekly on Fingal County Council social media pages, WhatsApp channel and main project webpage Sustainable Swords | Fingal County Council or R132 Connectivity Project | Fingal County Council

We have a dedicated project liaison officer for this project, and they can be contacted by email [email protected]