COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

MOTION NO. 12

MOTION: Councillor E. Coburn

"That this Committee discuss with the aid of a report the layout of the cycle track at the entrance to Grange Manor road."

REPORT:

This cycle track project at this location is one of a series of permeability projects that aim to encourage people to walk and cycle for short local journeys, such as to school / shops / local parks etc., by ensuring there are direct, safe routes to those locations. This is particularly important in areas where there are large numbers travelling to and from schools. The part 8 for this scheme was approved by the Council.

The detailed design stage of the project utilised the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) as published by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on the 25th of March 2013. The manual sets out practical design measures to support and encourage more sustainable travel patterns in urban areas and is mandatory for Local Authorities for both new and existing urban roads and streets within a 60km/h urban speed limit zone (with some exceptions not relevant to the current situation). The Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) describes narrow carriageways as one of the most effective design measures to calm traffic, and lane widths may be reduced to 3m on streets where lower design speeds are being applied, and where access for larger vehicles is only occasionally required.

The area at Grange Manor Road is part of the ancillary tie-in works to the County Boundary with Dun Laoghaire – Rathdown. The works at the entrance to the estate narrow the road width into the estate, tighten the corner radii and provide for a raised crossing table at the junction, facilitating pedestrians and cyclists in particular. These measures are designed to provide traffic calming for traffic entering the estate and will create a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists in this area.

The designed turning radii and carriageway widths are fully in accordance with the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) and can accommodate all vehicles requiring access, some of which may have to cross the white lines. Noting the level of traffic at this location and the residential nature of the street, such a manoeuvre is acceptable as keeping vehicle speeds low and calming traffic is of higher priority. Furthermore, the reduction in the corner radii will significantly improve pedestrian and cyclist safety at the junction by lowering the speed at which vehicles can turn corners and increases visibility between users.  Following completion of the detailed design stage and prior to the construction of the route, the design underwent a Stage 2 Road Safety Audit; no issues were raised with regard to the road crossings.