COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

MOTION NO. 16

MOTION: Councillor B. Bonner

That the Manager present a report on the feasibility of using permeability funding to construct a cycle and walkway to link Knockmeenagh Road with the Luas Station at the Red Cow Station via St Bridget's Cottages.

REPORT:

The National Transport Authority (NTA)  has funded several permeability projects throughout South Dublin County Council in 2011 and 2012. The funding available is for particular projects that have fulfilled certain criteria and have succeeded in being awarded funding. Permeability projects are aimed at promoting walking and cycling within local areas and providing easy, direct and safe access along the lines of pedestrian desire lines to popular local centres, public transport etc. They are typically located along the lines of existing desire lines and thus far, have been mainly off road and of low to medium scale in terms of funding allocation from the NTA. The Planning Department has examined the above route as a possible permeability link between Clondalkin and the Luas Station at Red Cow Station. It is acknowledged that a direct cycle link between Clondalkin and the Luas station would be of great benefit; however on examination, this route, as a proposed permeability project, raises a number of issues.

The route is on-road and thus would incur higher expense and therefore be outside the scope of the usual permeability project-type scheme.

The proposed route would have to be considered in the context of a overall traffic plan for Clondalkin Town Centre and how cyclists move around it.

The one-way section of Knockmeenagh Road is very narrow; it varies between 3.8 to 4.9m in width. 3.8m is the typical width used as a shared surface for pedestrians and cyclists on permeability schemes through open space areas without any vehicles. The fact that cars move one-way also within this narrow section of the road would be to the detriment of cyclists and pedestrians using it as a strategic route to the Luas and, should it prove a popular route, may not be safe. It would become frustrating for car users who would have to lag behind pedestrians and cyclists for quite a distance before being able to overtake. It would also result in removing nearly all existing vegetation from the edges of the road in order to provide more space for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists; which would be to the detriment of the character of the area and the existing ecology.

Portions of the proposed route would work as a one-way route only for cyclists, (along the N7 portion); as the slip lane adjacent to the N7 would provide access to the Luas for eastbound cyclists only. Cyclists coming from the Luas Station westwards would have no access from the bridge to St. Brigid’s Cottages. (Though there would be access for pedestrians along the narrow footpath on the slip road).

On examination it seems that the proposed route would not be suitable for a permeability funding application. However the Planning Dept will further examine this route and liaise further with Roads and other Departments to see if the above-mentioned issues can be addressed; or if an alternative route can be identified. If so, and a direct and functional route can be identified between Clondalkin and the Luas Station it will be submitted to the National Transport Authority for funding for 2013.