COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
HEADED ITEM NO. 9
Proposed upgrading of roundabouts in the Rathfarnham ACM area
ROUNDABOUTS
There are 10 roundabouts in the Rathfarnham Area Committee area which are important features in the local streetscape.
They are important because they can:
- Enhance the local environment if well designed and maintained
- They present a picture of an area where the public environment is of importance
- They can also enhance the perception of the area from a business and tourism point of view
The existing 10 roundabouts are in varying states of maintenance and all of them are in need of upgrading. Many of the roundabouts were landscaped at a time when there were more resources available to maintain the displays. Any improvement works and planting displays will therefore have to have regard to the resources that are available to maintain them. In practical terms this means providing landscape schemes which are low maintenance and require less frequent visits. This is important because of the significant Health & Safety and traffic management measures required in order to get staff safely out to the centre of the road to carry out maintenance works.
The other key factor that must be borne in mind when designing a scheme for a roundabout is road safety. Roundabouts are primarily a traffic control mechanism and due regard must be given to traffic movement, safety and sightlines when selecting plants and materials for use on them.
As a first step, it is proposed to begin a phased cleaning up and tidying of the roundabouts and the removal of material that requires intensive maintenance work. The next step will be to prepare detailed landscape plans to improve the roundabouts while reducing the frequency of maintenance required. The implementation of any schemes will be subject to any other plans or proposals for the roundabouts concerned, traffic safety guidelines and the availability of resources to do so.
The following presentation provides an overview of the roundabouts and the proposals to enhance them.