>>UPDATE: Today’s meeting agreed to get a report in February on the potential for rubber paving and on the priorities for the footpath repair.<<

– Councillor wants to put a spring in the step of north-side residents

Green Party Councillor David Healy will today ask Fingal County Council to consider the possibility of using rubber footpaths in the Bayside and Sutton Park areas of North Dublin. Council officials are currently planning to remove many road-side trees which have cracked footpaths, but rubber footpaths are not susceptible to root damage and would save the trees in these leafy areas of the city. Cllr Healy, the Green Party’s General Election candidate for Dublin
North East, said: "Rubber pavements have been used in over 60 cities in
the US, as a way of solving the problem of dangerous footpaths that
have been cracked by trees. The rubber comes from recycled waste tyres
and is a much more comfortable surface to walk and jog on. It is also
much safer if people fall onto it.

"I believe that rubber footpaths will allow us to save the beautiful
trees that have been growing in these areas for decades while improving
the safety of footpaths. Rubber footpaths may be a bit more expensive
than concrete alternatives but they last up to three times as long and
are much easier to maintain and replace."

Cllr Healy’s proposal to deploy rubber footpaths in Bayside and Sutton
Park will be discussed during Fingal County Council’s meeting at 3pm
today (Thursday, 12 December) in Baldoyle Library, when the proposed
tree-felling programme for the area will be brought back before the
Area Committee.

Information:
Cllr David Healy: 087 6178852
Damian Connon, Press Office: 01 618 3852 / 087 228 1119

The following links provide further information on the usage and success of rubber pavements: USEPA, Washington Post, Washington Post, Rubber Sidewalks