COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

HEADED ITEM NO. 9

Walking & Cycling Route from Griffeen Road to R135 Lucan

The walking and cycling route from Griffeen Road to R136 in Lucan along the lne of the Esker is one of a series of 'Permeability projects' which South Dublin County Council, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA), have in recent years proposed  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.  All permeability projects indentified in 2011 were presented to the Lucan Area Committee Members at the Local Area Meeting of the 28th June 2011 and at a further Councillor Briefing Meeting of the 13th 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 completed in 2012. 2 of the projects in the Rathfarnham area have received funding to progress to detailed design and construction in 2013.

In 2012, as part of the feasibility process for the Esker route, the Planning Authority carried out a non-statutory public consultation process to gauge public opinion on the project. In early June, a notification letter was delivered to 800 households in Castle Riada and Moy Glas outlining the principle of the route and detailing the non statutory public consultation and public consultation process. In addition, door to door calls were carried out in Moy Glas and Castle Riada to the houses immediately adjacent to the Esker to inform residents of the proposal and provide an opportunity for questions.  90% of the total respondents stated that they thought the proposed project would benefit the area. Some amendments were made to the scheme; after consultation with the National Transport Authority.

A report on the proposed project was presented to the Lucan Area Committee members and it was agreed to proceed to the Part 8 public consultation. Following the public consultation process a Manager's Report was presented and discussed with the locally Elected Members at a briefing meeting. A further briefing meeting between the Area Committee and representatives of the local residents.

In response to the above meetings, the Planning Authority provided the following modifications as an addendum to the Manager’s Report:                                                       

1. The ramp proposed for the eastern side of the route will be subject to detailed design analysis and the ramp will extend onto the Esker 9m more from that originally proposed in order to reduce the length of the ramp extending down the side of Ballyowen Road (Outer Ring Road) .                                                                                       

2. The position of the ramp and the possibility of moving it eastwards will be examined at detailed design stage.                                                                                     

3. The proposed road crossing and other works at Ballyowen Road (Outer Ring Road) shall be examined to include speed reduction measures where appropriate and subject to agreement with the Roads Traffic Dept                                                                                        

4. Suitable boundary treatments to include fencing and planting will be considered at the detailed design stage for the section of the Esker that runs parallel to the road at Moy Glas Lawn (up to the vacant site).                                                                                          

5. Suitable boundary treatments to include fencing and planting will be considered at the detailed design stage for the section of the Esker that runs parallel to the road at Castle Riada Drive (up to the vacant site).                                                                                      

6. The link that runs to the route in a diagonal direction from Moy Glas Green shall be omitted. The second link running north to the route from Moy Glas Green shall remain.                                                                                    

7. A metal railing is proposed for the boundary between Moy Glas Green and the main route.                                                                                       

8. Suitable planting will be considered for the boundary between the proposed route and Moy Glas Green to retain visual permeability as much as possible                                                                                              

9. The CCTV and public lighting for the route will be extended to over the proposed link to Castle Riada Avenue                                                                                             

The Managers Report with above addendum was presented to the Elected Members for consideration at the December Council Meeting 2012. The following resolution was proposed and passed by the Elected Members:                                                                              

“That this Council commends and thanks the Manager and officials for the proactive approach taken with respect to the development of proposals to address the long-standing issues affecting the Esker between Castle Riada & Moy Glas estate; and with respect to the positive, inclusive and engaging dialogue entered into with the elected members and residents’ representatives regarding revisions to the proposal; and further resolves that the Council proceed with the Part 8 proposal for the construction of a walking and cycling route and ancillary works from Griffeen Road to Grange Castle Road (Outer Ring Road), (R136) as proposed and detailed in the public notices and in both the Manager’s Report and addendum to the Manager’s Report, subject to the following modifications:                                                                                 

            1          omission of the proposed link to Castle Riada Avenue;                                                             

            2          omission of the proposed pedestrian and cycle access point from Moy Glas Lawns/Road to Grange Castle Road (Outer Ring Road)                                                                      

            3          a requirement that council management and officials continue an ongoing dialogue with residents’ representatives at detailed design stage, in particular on the issues addressed in the addendum to the Manager’s Report.”

In December 2012 the Planning and Roads Departments made an application for funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) to progress the detailed design stage of the route in 2013.  Early in 2013 the NTA made an allocation for detailed design work.  In accordance with  the Project Management Guidelines for Projects Funded by the National Transport Authority, the NTA requested a Planning Outcome Report be submitted prior to funding draw-down.  Following receipt of the Planning Outcome Report (previously circulated to members of the Lucan Area Committee), the National Transport Authority has issued a letter (atttached) advising that they will not fund the Project in its current proposed form.