COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

MOTION NO.  2

MOTION: Councillor C. Keane

"That this Committee discusses the new proposed opening adjacent to The Heath Prospect Manor and how this will be managed with the closure of the old opening from Socking Lane to Heath."

REPORT:

The current entrance to the signallised pedestrian crossing will remain open, i.e. pedestrians from Prospect Manor will continue to use Prospect Heath to access the existing crossing. The provision of the short path from the rear of the bus-stop direct to the path in Prospect Heath will increase safety for bus users as they would not have to walk albeit the short distance along the road either back to the crossing or up to the main entrance. It is proposed to install a pedestrian gate at this location to provide a higher level of safety for children.

The current proposal to provide a footpath into Prospect Heath is the most economical and practical way to enhance the safety of pedestrians using the bus-stop. It will avoid the unnecessary removal of existing hedgerow, and thereby preserve the rural characteristics of the area.

 It is not envisaged that the proposed arrangement will present a hazard. It is not envisaged that children will cross the road at the south bound bus stop any more than they currently may do for instance, at the existing entrance, which does not seem to present a problem to date. The proposed provision of a pedestrian swing gate should reduce the likelihood of children running straight onto the road at the bus-stop.