COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 09, 2009

MOTION NO. 6

MOTION: Councillor D. Keating

That the Manager would agree to carry our review surveys of major road widening projects in our county, which when completed, often following decisions made by An Bord Pleanála, leave homes in many areas in our communities at serious disadvantages owing to increased noise levels and loss of visual amenities, which clearly demonstrates that examination of such matters at the early planning stages can be inadequate or even flawed.

REPORT:

Road schemes prepared by the Council and submitted to An Bord Pleanala are designed on the basis of an assessment of existing and expected traffic volumes and the likely effects on the environment over the design life of the scheme. Noise mitigataion and visual intrusion are examined as part of this assessment and mitigation is provided where certain parameters are met.

There are no traffic noise regulations in force in this country and as part of the Government road development programme it became necessary to set guideline values so that schemes were in conformity to environmental directives.  It should be noted that these assessments are a snap shot in time projected into the future which take into account other developments which may or may not take place over the lifetime of the scheme. In many cases these developments do not take place.  It is not an exact science and the final outcome may not be as described in the analysis, nevertheless, the assessment is a valid projection of the likely effects of the road scheme on the environment at the design year.  The design year is normally 15 years post opening and the directive is silent on whether it is necessary to re-examine the study in advance of that time. This is so that there would be a definitive end to a scheme in the context of expenditure.

The avenues for review are quite limited therefore until the design year is reached. The Council is obliged, however, to implement the noise action plan for the Greater Dublin Area in so far as it relates to the Council area and implement remedial measures where necessary and where resources are specifically provided.