COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, June 10, 2013

QUESTION NO. 18

QUESTION:  Councillor E. Tuffy

To ask the Manager to make an updated Report on permeability/cycleway, walkway projects, which have been finally approved for funding by the NTA under the Smarter Travel Initiative in the 5 Electoral Areas of the County to date?

REPLY:

Since 2011, the NTA has funded work on a range of projects in the SDCC area under the National Transport Authority (NTA) 'STMG' or Sustainable Transport Measures Grants programme. The programme is project managed by Planning, Roads-Traffic and Parks Departments and spans a variety of project types. The programme includes thirteen local permeability projects funded to date:

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 has requested 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, all permeability projects both proposed and constructed in all parts of the County have been subject to rigorous and in-depth public consultation. The views of local residents and locally elected members in each area have been actively canvassed. The public consultation methods utilised within the Permeability Project programme are part of the process that the National Transport Authority hopes can be replicated elsewhere.

There were a range of other projects progressed under the STMG programme in 2012 and subject to current funding for 2013.  

These included 'Travel Smart Communities' a travel behavioural change programme which involved direct engagement with residents, schools and community groups in the Lucan and Clondalkin areas with the aim of encouraging modal shift to sustainable transport where possible.  This Project was rolled out during Spring-Summer 2012 and is the first large-scale community based travel programme to be undertaken in Ireland.  Travel Smart Communities, Report on Phase 1 is available on the project website www.travelsmartcommunities.ie.

Funding was also provided in 2012 for local pedestrian and cycle safety measures that included junction upgrades and five pilot zebra crossings and in 2013 for bus priority measures at signalised junctions.

Other Projects undertaken in 2012 include the feasibility, design and Part 8 consent processes in respect of new and upgraded cycle track schemes such as from Tallaght to Templeogue and Tallaght to Ballyboden, which are progressing to detailed design and commencement of construction in 2013.

The preliminary design of the Dodder Regional Cycle Route through Tallaght and Rathfarnham has moved from the feasibility stage in 2012 to preliminary design in 2013.

The Tallaght Town Centre Movement Framework Plan is nearing completion and, once completed, the NTA have allocated funding for a re-design of the N-81 / Oldbawn Junction and the design of a proposed Interchange at the Luas Stop in Tallaght.

In 2012 & 2013 the NTA are funding the design and construction 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, the design and planning for a new route into southern Grange Castle, Nangor Road, completion of construction of a pedestrian link on the Old Nangor Road in Clondalkin, an options report on the Walkinstown Roundabout, and on the provision of walking and cycling facilities on a section of the N-81 west of Tallaght, the design development of a proposed cycle route on Wellington Lane, provision of new pedestrian facilities on Monastery Road, Clondalkin, a review of the Scholarstown Road junctions in Rathfarnham, provision of improved pedestrian facilities at Rathcoole, the design of the junction on the N-81 at Avonmore, provision of cycling parking at local centres,  provision of funding for a feasibility study into a public bike hire scheme for Tallaght and funding for a review of the traffic management measures at Lucan and Clondalkin villages.

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. Due to the flexibility of the programme and a desire to ensure that all allocated funding can be most efficiently used, it may be possible to obtain funding during the year for new projects as they arise whilst other projects may be deferred or discontinued should they not be in a position to progress.

In 2013 in addition to the start of year allocation outlined above; the NTA have also committed to providing funding to a proposed improvement of the public open space at Mount Bellew, Bewley & St. Andrews estates in Lucan. This is an effort to retain a right of way currently being used by over 450 people daily. It is part of a comprehensive package of measures which aim to facilitate walking and cycling in the area but also to mitigate for traffic problems and anti-social behaviour currently being experienced. The package includes the provision of park and stride facilities, car parking at the local school and drop off car parking facilities on the R136 as well as measures designed to prevent anti social behaviour such as opening up sight lines, trimming of undergrowth, facilitating the use of the area by a wider section of the community, (all age groups and abilities), provision of public lighting using white light and the involvement of the local residents and other stakeholders in a community forum.