COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (2)

Monday, November 23, 2009

HEADED ITEM NO. 8

Tallaght Enhancements QBC – The N81

 

The Tallaght Enhancements QBC (The N81) forms part of the QBC Network, linking the existing Tallaght QBC, the Firhouse/Ballycullen QBC, the Green Route QBC and the Outer Ring Road QBC (Cookstown Road) Quality Bus Corridors. The scheme consists of 3052m of QBC in the inbound direction (to Dublin City) and 4175m in the outbound direction (towards Tallaght). The sections of bus lanes proposed are as follows:

Inbound (3052 m of bus lane)

1.       72 m of bus lane between Cookstown Road and Firhouse Road West.

2.       660 m of bus lane between Firhouse Road West and Whitestown Way.

3.       2320 m of bus lane between Whitestown Way and Tallaght Road roundabout.

Outbound (4175 m of bus lane)

1.       680 m of bus lane from Old Bridge Road to the existing bus lane after the Spawell Road roundabout.

2.       455 m of bus lane between the M50 and the Tallaght Road roundabout.

3.       2190 m of bus lane between the Tallaght Road roundabout and Whitestown Way.

4.       660 m of bus lane between Whitestown Way and Firhouse Road West.

5.       190 m of bus lane between Cookstown Road and Killinarden Heights.

The Scheme has the potential to provide considerable benefits for public transport users on the route as follows:

• Provide a direct route from Tallaght to Dublin City centre with high levels of priority.
• Allow a quick and reliable bus services capable of providing consistent reliable journey times and headways.
• Integrate and link with the existing Tallaght QBC, the Firhouse/Ballycullen QBC, the Green Route QBC and the Outer Ring Road QBC (Cookstown Road).

• As the number of general traffic lanes remains unchanged, there is no significant impact on journey times for general traffic. 
• Improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, including pedestrian crossings and cycle tracks. 

It is proposed to initiate a Part 8 public consultation process under the Local Government Planning & Development Regulations in the immediate future. The cost of the scheme will be funded from the DTO’s Annual Traffic Management Grant programme.