COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

MOTION NO. 19

MOTION: Councillor C. Jones

"That the Manager, with regard to the proposed Permeability proposals for the Lucan area, will take note of serious concerns arising from previous on-going anti-social behaviour in particular spots in Foxborough and that the manager will take note of the further concern of residents regarding the impact from newly proposed laneways."

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA), have in recent years proposed short walking and cycling routes to serve local neighbourhoods across the County. These proposed routes create more sustainable local neighbourhoods with direct pedestrian and cycle links to popular local destinations. The aim is to encourage people to leave the car at home for local trips by bringing more households within walking and cycling distance to local amenities in accordance with National policy and the policies of the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Council.

In many cases the links are based on existing shortcuts, enabling cyclists and pedestrians; including those with decreased mobility, to access safe, direct, hard surfaced routes to the local shops, school, community centre, bus or rail stop, cycle route, or the park / playground. Increased walking and cycling within local neighbourhoods reduces carbon footprints, encourages a healthier lifestyle and increased numbers of users will improve the safety of the route and discourage anti-social behaviour.

All proposed permeability projects were presented to the Lucan Area Committee Members at the Local Area Meeting of the 28^th June 2011 and at a further Councillor Briefing Meeting of the 13^th July 2011.  The overall scheme contained a list of county wide projects; of which 2 No. progressed to construction in 2011 at Dargle Wood, Knocklyon and Corkagh Park. A further 3 No. projects have been completed in 2012 in Clondalkin and Tallaght. The preliminary design stages for projects at Esker and at Grange Road in Rathfarnham were also completed in 2012. Funding has been granted to progress 2 projects in the Rathfarnham area to detailed design and construction in 2013.

 In 2013 the NTA have requested that South Dublin County Council carry out a review of all permeability projects commenced by South Dublin County Council to date, prior to new funding being allocated to additional routes. The review will appraise the success or otherwise of all funded projects to date and is currently at tender stage.

As part of the review process, and due to the success of permeability projects elsewhere in the county; The National Transport Authority wish South Dublin County Council to develop a ‘best practice guide’ in order to enable permeability programmes to be replicated in other counties where appropriate.

To date where a permeability project is proposed in areas subject to anti-social behaviours, the feasibility of the route is carefully assessed. The design of the route is carefully considered to either discourage or prevent such behaviour. Public consultation is rigorously carried out. Among measures that have been carried out / proposed to date are some or all of the following (dependant on location and context):

• Careful selection of proposed routes
• Assessment of feasibility of the route
• Consultation with relevant Council Departments and elected Area Committee Members
• In depth and rigorous public consultation
• Consultation with community Gardai
• Proposed increase in passive surveillance
• Promotion of use of the route; including new links to adjacent residential areas, areas of high usage such as local centres and installation of facilites to enable access to the route
• Careful design of boundary and access treatments
• Proposed lighting
• Proposed CCTV where required
• Appropriate landscape design of the area to improve the landscape treatment and general environment to promote a sense of a well cared for area
• Consultation with the Parks Department to agree a maintenance regime for the route.

There are no permeability links or laneways proposed in the the Foxborough area as part of the permeability programme.  A line on map was identified in response to a specific request to highlight options for such links to the proposed post primary school to serve the South Lucan area as part of the March Area Committee agenda.  This or other nearby potential links may be of relevance when the proposed post primary school to serve the South Lucan area is operational.  A planning application has recently been received for the proposed school.  The concerns of local residents raised further to the March Area Committee meeting are noted.  Laneways are not a format that would be proposed by the Council.   It is further noted that all or part of both options highlighted for the March ACM are located within the Clondalkin local electoral area and traverse zoned development land in public owenership.