COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

QUESTION NO. 8

QUESTION: Councillor E. Higgins

To ask the Chief Executive to provide a report on permeability between the villages of Newcastle and Rathcoole; and between each village and its nearby public transport artery at Hazelhatch (in relation to Newcastle) and Fortunestown Lane (in relation to Rathcoole)

REPLY:

Permeability between the villages of Newcastle and Rathcoole:

Permeability for cyclists and pedestrians between Newcastle and Rathcoole is challenged by the presence of the N7 (Naas Road). As with all heavily trafficked national routes close to urban areas the N7 acts as a physical barrier to pedestrians and cyclists, particularly in terms of crossing it; (as opposed to moving along it). There are two main routes from Newcastle to Rathcoole for pedestrians and cyclists. The first route is via Main Street in Rathcoole, across the vehicular flyover on the N7 and along the R120 to Newcastle. This is a distance of approximately 3.86km. There are no dedicated cycle routes along this route and cyclists share the carriageway with vehicles. There are footpaths on both sides of the street within the village areas and close to the interchange. Heading towards Newcastle on the R120 a footpath exists on one side of the road. The footpath changes from one side to the other en-route. The R120 is a busy road.

The second route from Rathcoole to Newcastle is via the pedestrian flyover of the N7. This route is via Tay Lane in Rathcoole, across the flyover which has both step and ramp access both sides and Tay Lane joins the R120 close to Newcastle. This route is approximately 3.73km in distance. Tay Lane has footpaths on both sides of the carriage way close to the N7 and on one side for the remainder of its length, this footpath changes from one side to the other side of the road en-route and joins the footpath on the R120 leading to Newcastle. There are no dedicated cycle facilities along this route and cyclists share the carriageway with vehicles. Tay Lane is less trafficked than the R120.

Permeability between Saggart Luas stop (Fortunestown Lane) and Rathcoole:

There are 2 main routes for cyclists and pedestrians between Saggart Luas stop (Fortunestown Lane) and Rathcoole.

One is via the roads as follows: Fortunestown Lane onto Church Road to Saggart, along Mill Road and Fitzmaurice Road to Rathcoole Main Street. This is a distance of approximately 2.55km. There is an advisory cycle lane on one side of Fortunestown Lane and an off road cycle track on the other. There are no dedicated cycle facilities along the rest of the route and cyclists share the carriageway with other vehicles. Between Fortunestown Lane and Saggart there are footpaths both sides of the road,though sections of the route particularly between Saggart and Rathcoole have footpath on one side of the roadway.

The alternative route is similar to as shown above from Saggart Luas stop on Fortunestown Lane just as far as Saggart. From there the Parks Dept have recently opened an off-road Greenway link for pedestrian and cyclists via Rathcoole Park. This links from Millrace residential estate in Saggart to Beechwood residential estate in Rathcoole. This route to the Luas is approximately 2.52km in distance.

Permeability between Hazelhatch train station and Newcastle:

The main route for pedestrians and cyclists from Main Street in Newcastle is via the R405 to Hazelhatch. This a distance of approximately 3.55km. There are no dedicated cycle routes along this route and cyclists share the carriageway with other vehicles. There is a footpath close to Newcastle on one side of the road. There are no footpaths along the majority of the rest of the route as far as the Grand Canal overbridge. A footpath is in place on one side of the road north of the Grand Canal. Closer to Hazelhatch a footpath is on both sides of the road and there is a good pedestrian link to the train station close to the railway overbridge.