COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 08, 2012

QUESTION NO.24

QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

To ask the Manager to make a report on the current status/position of Permeability and other projects being developed in the County for funding under the Smarter Travel Initiative? 

REPLY:

In 2012, the NTA has funded work on a range of projects in the SDCC area under the National Transport Authrouty (NTA) 'STMG' or Sustainable Transport Measures Grants programme.  These include ten local permeability projects:-

Two of the Permeability Projects are the completion on site of works initially funded for construction in 2011:- These are projects in Dargle Wood, Knocklyon and Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, approved to a total value of 131,000 euro in 2012.  The success of the Dargle Wood project, which is now complete, has also led to NTA approval for the further funding of two 'toucan' (pedestrian and cyclist) crossings at either end of that route with a further allocation of 80,000 euro in 2012.  The total 2012 NTA allocation is therefore 211,000 euro.

A further two Permeability Projects are works scheduled for completion on site in 2012.  These are Deansrath to the Grand Canal in Clondalkin and Marlfield to Aylesbury in Tallaght, each allocated 120,000 euro in 2012, (total 240,000 euro).

Five of the Permeability Projects were funded to progress through local consultation and design to Part 8 consent stage in 2012.  Two of these are projects in Clondalkin linking Bawnogue to the Grand Canal and to the Fonthill Road, with a total combined allocation of 50,000 euro in 2012.  The Part 8 display period has just ended in relation to both.  There are a further two projects in Lucan, relating to the Esker and a link to Fforster Estate, with allocations of 40,000 and 20,000 euro respectively in 2012.  The former is currently on Part 8 public display and work on the latter has recently been discontinued as a result of the outcome of a local consultation porcess prior to Part 8.  The fifth project is currently at Part 8 stage, relates to the Grange Road-Barton Road Extension link in Rathfarnham and has an allocation of 30,000 euro for consultation, planning and design in 2012.  The combined total NTA allocation for all five projects is 140,000 in 2012.

The final permeability project funded in 2012 is a feasibility study in relation to the potential extension of the Grange link (fifth project above) to the 'Green' route via Whitechurch Road and carries an NTA allocation of 10,000 euro in 2012.

There are a range of other project being progressed under  the STMG programme in 2012.   These include the personalised travel planning, PTP' behavioural change,'smarterer travel communities' programme which has primarily worked with residents and schools in the Lucan area and also in part of Clondalkin.  This Project was rolled out during Spring-Summer 2012 and is currently at post-engagement survey stage.  The project is one of the first PTP programmes ever undertaken in Ireland and was allocated 225,000 euro in 2012.  A final Project report will be completed by the end of 2012.

Other Projects being undertaken include the feasibility, design and Part 8 consent processes in respect of new and upgraded cycle track schemes and local pedestrian and cycle safety measures that include junction upgrades and five pilot zebra crossings.  These also include 200,000 euro for the design of the Willsbrook Road cycle scheme and 100,000 euro for the design and tender of pedestrian and cyclist improvements to the N4 Fonthill Road access at the Lucan area.

STMG Projects must be submitted to the NTA for approval before funding is agreed.  Funding will only be agreed if the proposal is acceptable to the NTA in the context of their wider policies and objectives. It is intended that Projects that prove feasible and/or secure Part 8 consent in 2012 will form the basis of submissions for funding to progress to Part 8 and/or construction in 2013, although it will remain possible to seek funding for  further projects that are likely to accord with NTA selection criteria.