COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

QUESTION NO. 10

QUESTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

To ask the Manager to outline the options open to the Council to correct the anomaly whereby Lucan Road, Palmerston, has come to be referred to as “Old Lucan Road” whereas in fact this is quite inaccurate? The “new” road that replaces the Lucan Road (referred to variously as the “Chapelizod By Pass” or the “Palmerston Bye Pass” surely only working titles) does not have a name and should be given an official name reflective perhaps of the heritage of the area.  In addition, the N4/M50 exit 7 intersection often referred to as the “Lucan Exit” should be more properly named as the “Palmerston Exit” after the historic place in which it is located.  I now propose that these anomalies and inaccuracies be corrected.

REPLY:

The Lucan Road, Palmerston is still on the Road Schedule as the L1016 and runs from the cul de sac east of the M50 to the N4 east of Palmerston.  It is normal convention that roads that are replaced by a bypass road adopt the name. The road that was bypassed would therefore become "old".  However in this case the Road Schedule has not been updated to allow for this.  As part of our review of the Road Schedule it is intended to correct this.

The Interchange on the N4/M50 junction (Exit 7) has always been known as the Palmerston Interchange. This was the name given to it as part of the original M50 motorway scheme. Similarly, Ballymount, Red Cow, Balrothery and Scholarstown Interchanges were also named at that time. Since the freeflow junction was put in place, the various associated ramps have generally been known in accordance with the direction of exit known as the "Palmerston Exit", "Lucan Exit"etc. This is done to ensure that as accurate information as possible in relation to the location of an incident, is given to motorists.

The naming of the various by passes which they are known as the "Palmerston By Pass" or" Lucan By Pass"or indeed "Chapelizod By Pass" should have the prefix N4 added and this can be done as the schedule is reviewed.