Malahide is set to become the first area in Fingal to see a new pedestrian zone introduced in the centre of the village which will bring an open air, European-style feel to the heart of the village.New Street, which is home to lots of shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafés and bars, is set to be transformed into a pedestrian-friendly area during the 10-week pilot initiative.Walk Bike Fingal is an initiative being rolled out across the county and which seeks to encourage and facilitate social distancing for citizens going about their daily business.The contractor has been appointed and work will commence on Monday and will allow retailers, café and restaurant owners expand their business onto the street, giving a European-style feel on the street. Additional parking is being provided at the nearby Bridgefield Car Park at the entrance to Malahide Demesne. Free parking will now be available at this location for a two-hour period. The Council has also installed a number of Age Friendly parking spots in the town centre.During the Covid-19 pandemic there has been a significant drop in traffic, combined with a resurgence in walking and cycling across Fingal, and this new area will allow pedestrians move safely and freely while going about their day-to-day business.Fingal County Council has met with stakeholders in the village and the plan has been backed by Malahide Chamber of Commerce, Malahide Community Forum and Malahide Tidy Towns. Councillors on the Howth-Malahide Area Committee also approved the pilot initiative following a briefing from Council officials.Next week, Fingal County Council launched its Street Furniture Initiative 2020 to facilitate the temporary placement of chairs and tables on footpaths to allow for outdoor dining. From Thursday (June 18) applications and details can be made at https://www.fingal.ie/council/service/street-furniture-licence