COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, February 08, 2010
HEADED ITEM NO. 2 b)
REPORTS OF AREA COMMITTEES
b) Lucan Clondalkin Area Committee (1) - 20th January 2010
Dealing with Planning, Development & Parks (1 report - St. Cuthbert's Park, Clondalkin), Roads
REPLY:
REPORT OF AREA COMMITTEES
Lucan Clondalkin Area Committee (1) – 1st December 2009
Dealing with Development & Parks, Planning, Roads (1 report – St Cuthberts Park, Clondalkin)
The following motion was PASSED at the Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee Meeting on 1st December, 2009.
LC/825/09 MOT (10) ST. CUTHBERT’S PARK, CLONDALKIN Item ID: 21100
It was proposed by Councillor R. Dowds and seconded by Councillor T. Ridge:
“That the Manager presents a report on St. Cuthbert's Park, Clondalkin and, in the report especially addresses these issues:
(a) The provision of public lighting on the footpath between Melrose and Lindisfarne estates through the park.
(b) Preventing incursions from motorised vehicles into the park”
The following report by the Manager was READ:
“Design proposals for a scheme of lighting have been prepared by engineers in the Public Lighting Section. The scheme originally provided for the installation of 23 lighting columns along footpaths in the park leading from Lindisfarne estate to Deansrath estate. However following a subsequent review of the design proposal, having regard to issues of public safety and security, the necessity of providing all of the lighting in the park was raised when it is in fact possible for residents to walk along Deansrath Park and Melrose Park and on into Lindisfarne Estate making use of existing street lighting on public roads. By using the existing street lighting scheme, the only section of the route that would require lighting is a short section across the open space between Deansrath Green and Melrose Green. This proposal would provide for the safest route while making use of the existing public lighting network in the area.
In the past there was a footpath link between Melrose Park and Lindisfarne Grove adjacent 78 Lindisfarne Grove. This direct link was removed however the footpath is still evident adjacent to the house. Following a recent site inspection it was noted that it is possible to walk on the existing lit footpaths in Melrose Park and Lindisfarne Grove to travel between the estates. The total journey time is approximately 2 minutes. The cost of reinstating the footpath link adjacent to No 78, lighting this route and providing kissing gates would be in the region of €11,000. It would not be desirable to reinstate this link given the proximity to the adjacent house and the potential to create a gathering point for anti-social activities. In addition the 2 minute walk on existing lit footpaths is not considered to be a significant inconvenience. A meeting was held with representatives of the St Cuthbert's Park Lighting sub group of the South West Clondalkin Safety Forum on November 19th 2009 and it was agreed that it was not desirable to reopen this footpath link for the reasons outlined above.
To ensure the survival of the lighting columns additional boundary work is required in the vicinity of Lealand Road and Lindisfarne Grove to prevent unauthorised vehicles accessing the park and damaging the lighting columns. The nature of the work would involve increasing the height of the wall. This will necessitate the removal or modification of the existing wall and replacing it with a taller structure. The total length of wall that needs to be modified is approximately 300 meters.”
Following contributions from Councillors R. Dowds, T. Gilligan, T. Ridge and W. Lavelle, Mr. D. Fennell, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent responded to the queries raised and the report was NOTED. It was AGREED that the above motion would be referred to the Council Meeting.
Managers Report:
The Manager recommends that the report as noted at the Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee Meeting on 1st December 2009 should be implemented. The main items of the report are as follows:
1. Provide public lighting on the section of path between Deansrath Green and Melrose Green.
2. In the interest of safety and the prevention of the reoccurrence of anti social behaviour it is recommended that the footpath link adjacent to No 78 Lindisfarne Grove not be re-instated.
3. Modify the existing wall at Lealand Road/Lindisfarne Grove to prevent unauthorised vehicles accessing the park.
See details of proposals on the attached map.