COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, February 11, 2013
QUESTION NO. 16
QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy
To ask the Manager if she can provide up to date additional information on the comprehensive Reply to Question 24 at the Council Meeting of 8th October 2012 on Permeability Projects and other projects in the County supported under the Smarter Travel Programme?
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, five of which were funded to completion; four of which are now complete and one of which is nearing completion on site and another five of which were funded to progess to Part 8 consent stage; two of these are approved Part 8 proposals, one subject to modifications, a further two are still ongoing and the fifth was discontinued prior to initiation of the part 8 process:-
Two of the Permeability Projects initially funded in 2011 were completed on site in 2012:- These are projects in Dargle Wood, Knocklyon and Corkagh Park, Clondalkin. The success of the Dargle Wood projectalso led to NTA approval for the further funding and completion of two 'toucan' (pedestrian and cyclist) crossings at either end of that route in 2012.
A further two Permeability Projects were completed on site in 2012. These are at Deansrath and Melrose, linking these communities to the Grand Canal in Clondalkin. Another Project, from Marlfield to Aylesbury in Tallaght, was allocated funding in 2012 and is programmed for completion in early 2013.
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. The Part 8 display period was completed in relation to both but was the outcome was inconclusive and is ongoing.
There were a further two projects in Lucan, relating to the Esker and a link to Fforster Estate. The former acheived Part 8 consent subject to modifications in December 2012 and work on the latter was discontinued as a result of the outcome of a local consultation process 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 Part 8 consent was approved in November 2012.
There were a range of other projects 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 one of the first PTP programmes ever undertaken in Ireland . A draft final Project report was completed by the end of 2012 and is currently being reviewed in conjunction with the NTA.
Other Projects undertaken in 2012 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 the design of the Willsbrook Road cycle scheme and the design and tender of pedestrian and cyclist improvements to the N4 Fonthill Road access, in 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. Projects were submitted for funding in late 2012 that proved feasible and/or secured Part 8 consent in 2012, to progress to Part 8/and/or detailed design and/or construction as appropriate in 2013, although it will remain possible to seek funding for further projects that are likely to accord with NTA selection criteria during 2013. The outcome of the 2013 SDCC funding application is awaited.