COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (2)

Monday, September 23, 2013

QUESTION NO. 2

QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney

"To ask the Manager to provide a report on the implementation of paid parking for Tallaght Village and any other areas within the remit of this Committee, and to make a statement on the matter?"

REPLY:

Parking in Tallaght and Templeogue villages were surveyed to ascertain the level of parking in and adjacent to the controlled parking zones, both a Thursday and Saturday were observed.

Of most interest are the fringe areas as the effect of controlled parking are most apparent here and this is where any modification can be first made.

Tallaght

The car park on Oldbawn Road at Mountain Park was observed to have low use on both occasions (33% max occupancy on Thursday and 25% on Saturday). A reduced tariff operates in the car park, however it is a considerable walking distance from the commercial centre of the village. The operation of controlled parking in this car park is of limited value and it is proposed to remove the tariff and only enforce the remaining parking regulations (double yellow lines etc.) as necessary.

The car park at the court house was improved in 2012 and now provides 71 spaces including 2 disabled spaces. This car park is busy and was observed to be full during the day with 94% occupancy. It provides parking for the court and village activities and is connected to the commercial centre of the village by two walkways. Demand for space has exceeded supply from time to time with casual parking occurring between parking aisles. The turnover of space in the car park is poor with more than 60% long term parking (44 of 71 spaces). To support the commercial activity in the village much of this long term parking should be dissuaded from using a prime parking location. It is recommended that  controlled (Pay and Display) parking be introduced, normal permits included.

Main Street was observed to be well used and had good turnover during the week and at weekends with a maximum occupancy of 85% during the week and 63% on Saturday. There is a good balance between occupancy, availability and space turnover. Adjacent to Main Street parking is available on Old Greenhills Road. It provides reduced tariff parking and is free on Saturdays. This arrangement supports access to Main Street as an option for drivers and mitigates the less convenient location. It is not proposed to modify operation of controlled parking on the Main Street or Old Greenhills Road.

As some space is available on Old Greenhills Road, maximum occupancy of 30%, it is proposed to provide commercial permits at €25 per month. This may be an improved option for long term parking requirements.

Westpark is operated with permits for residents and is achieving the protection of the residential area from overspill parking.

Some on street parking exists around the square shopping centre. Controlled parking is applied to public parking areas to protect from inappropriate long-term parking.

Templeogue

Parking on Main Street provides 19 spaces, maximum occupancy was recorded at 70% during the week and 80% on Saturday. The public off street car park on the road approaching Riverside Cottages had a maximum occupancy of less than 30% of its 31 spaces both during the week and at the weekend. In all cases parking was predominately short term within the Templeogue pay and display area. The parking in the village operates with good availability and space turnover. Occupancy is at a good level on Main Street

Despite the lower tariff for parking in the off street car park it requires further promotion and signs have now been installed. Permits are available and it is proposed to provide commercial permits at €25 per month