Public consultation on the long-awaited place-making scheme for Clontarfs Vernon Avenue might happen in the summer of 2026.A draft design is currently being reviewed, and if that process is positive, the project will proceed to consultation, Dublin City Councils active travel office has told a local councillor. Cllr Donna Cooney (Green Party) said: Ive been working on the need for placemaking and creating a village centre for the Clontarf road end of Vernon Avenue for years. I was pleased when the NTA agreed that this plan could not only be a cycleway but needed a placemaking project.The Clontarf Residents Association and Clontarf Business Association have been advocating for a placemaking solution to address the safety issues, to connect Vernon Avenue better with the promenade, she said.Cllr Cooney added: We want to create a place where people feel safe and welcome. The Christmas tree lighting event, when the traffic was removed, showed the potential for this village area. A new restaurant opened up only last Friday, and there is already a buzz and vibrancy that needs to be enhanced with space for people.In a written response, an official from Dublin City Councils active travel office said: To update on the Vernon Avenue to Coast Active Travel Scheme, we are currently concluding the Preliminary Design Phase. We have issued the draft preliminary design and reports to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for review. Following feedback from the NTA, there may be some changes required to the design.Subject to NTA approval, we hope to proceed to the next phase, which will include Non-Statutory Public Consultation. We expect this Non-Statutory Public Consultation will be in Summer 2026, during which the Preliminary Design will be published on the DCC website, and the public will be invited to submit responses via an online questionnaire, by email or post, the official said.They added: As part of this consultation, we also intend to hold a public information event/s in Clontarf during which residents will be invited to view the Preliminary Designs, meet and ask questions of the design team, and provide feedback.