COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

MOTION NO. 2

MOTION: Councillor A.M. Dermody

"That the Manager provide an overview as to the historical reasons behind the Council’s decision not to permit traffic entry along the Green Route Ballyboden GAA gate during morning and afternoon drop-off times. 

That the Manager provide reasons why this Green Route could not be used as a permanent egress and regress to and from the various schools and teaching institutions within the area.  If this were to be permitted it would elevate traffic congestion in Templeroan, Ballyroan Crescent and Ballyroan Road during peak school times and for the Manager’s views on how this earlier decision to restrict access could now be reversed by the Council and/or Members. 

Assuming an affirmative response to the suggestion to ask that the Manager write a letter to the appropriate person in Ballyboden St. Enda’s GAA  permitting the use of the of the Green Route Ballyboden GAA gate for vehicle use into and out of Sancta Maria at morning and afternoon drop-off times during construction works. 

That the Manager provide his views on whether or not a left turn in and left turn out signage would maintain free-flowing traffic on this route."

REPORT:

1) The Green Route is a district distributor roadway (part of regional route R823) providing  access/egress to/from the M50 motorway.  The generation of additional traffic/turning movements on this busy commuter route would tend to create congestion which would endanger public safety by reason of a traffic hazard.

This was stated as follows in SD02A/0331.

Planning condition 6: The use of the car parking area shall be restricted to car and coach parking associated with use of the sports facilities.

2) The volumes a traffic dropping off children at the AM peak, from 8.30- 9.30AM, would have a negative impact on traffic on what is a critical link to the M50.

3) We are of the opinion that this development will generate limited construction traffic.  Construction traffic flows are a matter of local arrangement between the contractor, school and local interest groups during school pick up and drop off times. We are of the opinion (and traffic flow figures support our concern) that opening up the GAA car park to morning rush hour traffic will have a significant negative impact on the R823.

4) The possibility of left in/ left out can be examined. There would have to be an approx. 40m long concrete island installed across the GAA entrance to physically stop right turning movements, possibly some minor road realignment works, and associated road markings and signage.

This would have to be part of a planning application by the GAA club in partnership with the various schools  and should be accompanied by a traffic study including existing traffic numbers, proposed drop-off figures, and details of the pedestrian links from the GAA car park to the various schools. South Dublin County Council do not have the resources to undertake such works.