COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 08, 2008

HEADED ITEM NO. 9

 

REPORT ON PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCEDURES UNDER PART 8 OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2001 - 2007  BALDONNELL ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME AND ACCESS ROAD TO PROPOSED MILLTOWN BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY PARK

The attached report was considered at the Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee Meeting (1) on 19th November, 2008.

Following consideration of the report it was recommended by the Committee that the scheme as advertised be implemented.

It is now proposed to proceed with the scheme as advertised.

MEETING OF LUCAN-CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

HEADED ITEM NO. 8

 REPORT ON PART 8 OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2001-2007

Baldonnell Road Improvement Scheme and Access Road to Proposed Milltown Business and Technology Park.

    

Report on Part 8 Local Government

(Planning & Development Regulations 2001-2007)

Introduction

Part 8 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations 2001-2007 outlines the requirements with respect to certain classes of Local Authority developments. These regulations apply to the proposed realignment of The Proposal for Baldonnell Road Improvement Scheme & Access Road to Proposed Milltown Business and Technology Park as described below: 

The purpose of the proposed scheme is to provide road access to facilitate the development of zoned industrial lands at Milltown from previously approved road improvement schemes such as the Nangor Road Extension and the Outer Ring Road.  The Council is already preparing preliminary designs for the upgrade of the Newcastle Road (R120) to cater for the traffic volumes on this route and is in accordance with the South Dublin County Council Development Plan to provide the necessary road infrastructure for the Developing County. 

In order to achieve satisfactory levels of safety and operating efficiency a roundabout has been incorporated at the entrance to the Technology Park to provide access into the lands.  The internal circulatory system of the development will be designed to ensure that no traffic queues form on the external road network.  Any queuing should therefore be contained within the site. 

Consultation Process: 

The Proposal for this scheme was advertised in accordance with the requirements of Part 8 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations 2001-2007 on the 21st July 2008 in the Irish Independent and the Tallaght Echo on the 23rd July 2008. Plans and particulars of the proposed scheme were on display and available for inspection or purchase in the offices of South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght Dublin 24; South Dublin County Council, Civic Offices, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 and Clondalkin Library, Monastery Road, Dublin 22 (inspection only) during normal working hours. Submissions and observations with respect to this matter, dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the development would be situated were to be sent to SEO, Roads Department, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24.  The closing date for receipt of written submissions/observations was 4:30pm on Friday 19th September 2008.  

List of persons or bodies who made submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development:  

Four Observations/Submissions were received as follows:
           Irish Aviation Authority.
           National Roads Authority 
           Cllr. Dorothy Corrigan, Green Party
           Patrick McCormack, Newcastle-Lyons and District Residents association 

A file of the above submissions is available for inspection at South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24.  

Summary of issues raised: 

Observation 1: Irish Aviation Authority. 

There were no observations on the scheme           

Observation 2: National Roads Authority  

 As the remit of the Authority extends to national roads only the Authority has no objection to the proposal..   

Observation 3: Cllr. Dorothy Corrigan, Green Party 

With the exception of 300 linear metres of new widened carriageway on Baldonnell Road there are no immediate proposals for road upgrades or new road infrastructure in the wider area to accommodate traffic to and from the proposed business park. 

Response: The Council Development Plan 2004-2010 Road Objectives provide for the improvement of the road network to cater for the transportation requirements of the County. Under the 6 year programme it is an objective of the Council to initiate works listed including the N4 Upgrade, the Outer Ring Road, Nangor Road Extension from Grange Castle to the Lucan Newcastle Road (R120) and south from the new junction to Pollyhops with a link to Baldonnell Road. To date, the M50 is almost complete, the N4 Upgrade is due for completion 2009, and the Outer Ring Road is open from the N4 to the N81. In addition the tendering process for Nangor road extension has commenced.  

The business will attract large numbers of HGVs to the area and will have a negative impact on residents in the Newcastle / Lucan road and in Newcastle Village. The R120 is used as a rat run for HGVs between the N7 and the N4. Lack of forward planning has resulted in the Newcastle/Lucan road been used as a major traffic route via residential areas. Proper forward planning and development would ensure the road infrastructure is in place or the wayleave available for roads prior to rezoning of lands. 

Response: The R120 is identified as a Distributor Roadway and distributes traffic within the principal residential and commercial districts along the route. A balanced approach towards urban transportation planning helps contribute to a more efficient passage of people and their goods but it must take account of the level of resources available to achieve this and be cognisant of the zoning designations in the current Development Plan. 

In addition the completed Outer Ring Road and the Fonthill Road Link provide positive benefits for the motorist, Including HGV’s travelling between the N4 and the N7 in terms of relieving traffic flows on the R120 and the local road network. The Outer Ring Road effectively acts as three separate distributor roads, from Lucan Road/N4 to Adamstown Roundabout, the middle section from Adamstown Roundabout to the N7 and the southern section from the N7 to the N81. 

The Upgraded M50 also facilitates the motorist with the introduction of the 3 lane carriageway, freeflow interchanges and dedicated auxiliary lanes between the junctions of the N4, N7, Ballymount and N81. 

All of the above routes are in accordance with the County Development plan as approved by the Council members and the new County Development Plan will endeavour to retain dedicated corridor routes to meet the proper planning and development of the County with particular reference to the western distributor road and the Celbridge road link which is linked to the development of Adamstown. 

The upgrading of the Newcastle Road/N4 junction is bound in with the Development of Adamstown. This will increase traffic volumes on the Newcastle Road 

Response: The Development of a high quality road between Dublin and Galway (N4/N6) was identified in the National Development Plan (2000 to 2006) as part of the Economic and Social Infrastructure Operational Programme.  The presence of the at grade signal controlled junction between the N4 and the Newcastle Road was inconsistent with the rest of the route and undesirable in terms in terms of traffic capacity.  It was not bound to the South Dublin County Council proposals for the Adamstown SDZ which has its own dedicated link to the Outer Ring Road. 

The construction of the Baldonnell Road Improvement Scheme & Access Road to Proposed Milltown Business and Technology Park requires a HGV ban be imposed on the Alymer Road. Alternatively the other option is that the Road from Greenogue Industrial Estate be opened onto Alymer Road with a HGV ban put in place through the residential area of Alymer Road. 

Response: 

It is not intended to place a Vehicle Restriction Limit on the Alymer Road.   

The movement of goods is essential to the maintenance of commercial life and prosperity in the County and it should be noted that sending freight by road is the only practical means of delivery to and from farms, shops, offices and most factories and warehouses. The introduction of area management measures to control the movement and parking of HGV should be based on the requirements of all users and the extent to which implementation may affect the daily operation of their businesses and lives. The introduction of area management measures may simply displace the problem and not truly alleviate the situation.  

Consideration should be given to the adverse effects on vehicle operating costs, time and convenience and these must be weighed against the expected level of benefits to ensure the measures are worthwhile.  Given the current economic climate and the Council’s financial resources the implementation of such a policy carries with it inherent risks for example, a threat to the economic prosperity of the area due to hauliers and businesses relocating to alternative areas, where restraints on traffic movement are less severe.  Thus, a perceived need for traffic restraint must be tempered by the requirements of sufficient access to sustain business activity. 

Observation 4: Patrick McCormack, Newcastle-Lyons and District Residents association           

A HGV ban should be implemented on Alymer Road, Peamount Road and Athgoe Hill to direct HGVs to the Outer Ring Road. 

Response: It is not intended to place a Vehicle Restriction Limit on the local road network. The policy of diverting through traffic onto a defined network of roads more suited to the carrying of traffic is pursued by South Dublin County Council.  New roads, such as the Outer Ring Road, have been constructed where appropriate, as defined under the transportation section of the County development plan, to provide traffic capacity necessary for the transport demands of commerce and individuals to be met whilst enabling protective measures to be implemented in sensitive areas.   

Recommendation:

The proposed scheme is in accordance with the proper planning and development and forms an integral part of the ‘2004-2010 County Development Plan’ and accordingly it is recommended that the scheme be proceeded with.