COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TERENURE-RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE (2)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

MOTION NO 4.

MOTION: Councillor J. Lahart

"That this Commitee requests the Parks Department to consider planting the central median of the Rathfarnham ByPass with shrubbery and foliage to help address the environmental noise impact of traffic which particularly effects residents of local homes and apartments."

REPORT:

In order to be effective as a buffer against traffic noise, scientific research has indicated that a belt of planting should have a minimum width of 20-35m depending on the height of planting and species utilised.  It is not practically possible to meet this criteria for buffer planting along the Rathfarnham ByPass and so the existing compliment of trees and any additional planting in the median would be ineffective as noise buffers.  Modern road construction has seen an increased use of sound barriers constructed from solid materials where space for planting is limited and the residents may wish to seek advice from the Council’s Roads Department in this regard.  Residents should also consider the options provided by enhanced specifications for window glazing which can assist in alleviating external noise.