COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TERENURE-RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE (1)
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
MOTION NO. 6
MOTION: Councillor J. Lahart
"That the Council outline what steps are being made to ensure a safe route to school for children coming from Woodstown Village. The route is treacherous for pedestrians at the moment. The Council needs to implement some safety procedures, whether it be in conjunction with local schools, or through temporary pedestrian facilities."
REPORT:
This matter has been examined in detail by the Council's Traffic Management Committee. It was noted that the current preferred school route involves crossing the M50 slip roads at The Scholarstown Interchange. The preferred school route has been measured at some 1600 metres approximately. In view of the concerns of the members expressed at the Traffic Management Meeting it was agreed that the location, which is at present under the control of the M50 contractor, would be monitored. It was also agreed that the concerns of the members would be passed to the contractor and that the contractor would be requested to pay additional attention to pedestrian needs, especially during school opening and closing times, as part of their Traffic Management Plan.
An alternative route which uses the existing pedestrian footbridge at Castlefield has been identified as a safer route to school. While it is acknowledged that this route is longer by less than 150 metres than the current preferred route, it does have significant safety advantages. The Council's Road Safety Officers will examine in conjunction with the school authorities how this alternative route could be promoted, at least while the current M50 upgrade / Interchange Upgrade works are underway.
It should also be noted that when the upgrade is completed the existing pedestrian facilities will be further improved by providing an off road one way pedestrian facility on each side of the Interchange. All pedestrian crossings will be signal controlled.