COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

HEADED ITEM NO. 9

Permeability Project Moy Glas Link

REPORT:

The request for this item arises out of a report to last Month’s ACM in relation to an update on the proposed Moy Glas link, which was one of the NTA funded pedestrian/cycling permeability projects proposed for 2011.  Further to public consultation, the Moy Glas permeability project is not now proceeding in line with the wishes of the majority of local residents.  The pedestrian crossing sought as part of this Project cannot be considered in isolation by the Planning Department for NTA funding in 2011 and there is no time left in 2011 to divert the available funding to other works.  The pedestrian crossing sought at this location may be considered in conjunction with the Road's Department, subject to an agreed system of prioritisation (currently based on the pedestrian ‘warrant’ system),  for possible funding in 2012.  This is already subject to separate consideration at this meeting under Road's Business. 

PERMEABILITY PROJECT; MOY GLAS LINK

The Planning Department’s scheme of permeability projects was presented to the Lucan Area Committee Meeting of the 28th June 2011. A summary of the report is below:

The National Transport Authority (NTA) agreed in principle on 27th May 2011, to provide funding to South Dublin County Council (SDCC), to carry out Local Permeability Improvements in South Dublin County in 2011. The proposed projects were outlined at the concept stage to provide information and invite comment.

The permeability project sought to identify and improve established but informal walking and cycling routes, by upgrading existing links and removing blockages and barriers to easy movement.

The NTA brief is to focus on ‘quick and easy wins’ such as well used routes to schools, shops, community facilities and transport nodes to facilitate walking and cycling.

• The links were described according to the local centres they served.

• Each link increased the access to that local centre and the benefit to the locality that could accrue as a result of that link being achieved.

• An accumulative benefit could occur if all links in a particular area were completed. However the links will also work as standalone projects.

• In some cases, where the accumulative benefit was large; links are amalgamated to create one strategic link where it is warranted.

• Where a reduction in distance was cited as a result of the link; that resulted in achieving or improving an acceptable walking or cycling distance.

• In most cases the link resulted in easier access to a local or district centre. In one or two cases the link resulted in improved access to the LUAS line in South Dublin. This was described in the narrative.

• The proposals were at the concept stage so all were subject to further investigation and detailed design

The project proposed for the Lucan area was:

Griffeen Local Centre Link 1: Toucan Crossing points (subject to design consideration) & Moy Glas Link.

A further Councillor Briefing Meeting was requested and held on the 13th July 2011.

At this meeting an overview of Local Permeability Projects was given outlining the following:

The NTA agreed to fund local permeability projects that improve access to local nodes with schools, shops, community facilities and transport links. Funding available to complete 5 no. projects in 2011 with possibility of future funding for 2012 and 2013.

5 no. projects have been selected for 2011; 1 no. project in each of the electoral areas; identified projects that do not require Part 8 approval, on the basis that these projects are deliverable by the end of 2011. Potential projects have been identified in each area for 2012/2013. These projects would require Part 8 approval.

Part 8 process in relation to 2012/2013 projects will commence by end 2011.

SDCC has identified a project at Griffeen Local Centre for 2011 that incorporates new toucan crossings on Griffeen Road and Griffeen Avenue and a pedestrian and cycle link from Moy Glas estate. A map showing indicative locations of proposed works shown on projector.

Summary of outcomes of subsequent discussion:

On the 24th of October 2011 a questionnaire and information leaflet was circulated to the residents of Moy Glas.  The Planning Department received the following responses from local residents (results dated 16th November 2011):

4 phone calls:

1 in favour

3 against

43 Responses by post:

3 in favour

40 against

30 on-line responses

12 in favour

18 against

TOTAL RESPONSES 77

20.78% in favour

79.22% against.

A letter from the Moy Glas residents association and a petition from local residents dated 1st November 2011 was also received objecting to the proposal.  

Following receipt of the results above it was decided not to proceed with the Moy Glas link.  However, the residents association expressed an interest in future projects in the area and a wish to participate. The Travel Smart Team have agreed to meet them in 2012 and; subject to future funding, with a view to progressing alternative projects in the area.

The Planning Department submitted an application to the NTA based on the report presented at the Lucan ACM of the 28th of June. This application was based on the agreed criteria from the NTA which derived from the funding application for permeability projects that the NTA agreed in principle; this focused on creating new walking and cycling links to existing local estates, encouraging people away from driving and towards walking and cycling and decreasing the distance to local centres for walkers and cyclists. In this regard the proposed road crossing facility (subject to detailed design) was part and parcel of the link to Moy Glas as it would facilitate users of the new link to cross the road. With regard to moving the pedestrian crossing to a new location the Planning Department does not have discretionary funding for this project in 2011.  The proposal will be considered in conjunction with the Roads Department for 2012.