COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
MOTION NO. 6
MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell
"As a follow up to my motion passed at the December 2013 LAC and given the agreed policy on the Mobility and Management of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) on South Dublin County Road Network and the subsequent review of weight restrictions that now include a weight restriction of 7.5 tonne on Kennelsfort Road and on the Estates between the R148 and Kennelsfort Road,
This Committee now requests that the Chief Executive revisit this proposal, as provided for in the Mobility and Management of Heavy Goods Policy adopted by this Council in 2013 and provide for (a) a restriction of 3.5 tonne on Kennelsfort Road Upper from the N148 to the entrance of Woodfarm Acres for the following evidence based reasons: 1. The Dublin City Council has installed a 3.5 tonne restriction on Ballyfermot Road and as both this road and Kennelsfort Road are in effect the same road that meets at the County Boundary; both feed into and serve the Coldcut Road which in turn serves the Liffey Valley Town Centre, Fonthill Business Park, Park West and the Industrial/Business Estates in Clondalkin served by Cloverhill Road, it is imperative that both Ballyfermot Road and Kennelsfort Road have the same level of protection otherwise there will be (there already is) a huge displacement factor with Kennelsfort Road having to carry excessive and undesirable Heavy Goods Vehicle and Heavy (medium) Goods Vehicles traffic.
(b) The current 7.50 tonne restriction on the Residential Estates between the R148 and Kennelsfort Road must be changed to a 3.5 tonne restriction. The facts speak for themselves; this is a high density residential area, built in the 1950s before progressive planning acts with two primary schools, two crèches, no open space and very narrow roads. Again, if this Council is to seriously implement a coherent permeability policy it must improve the level of safety for pedestrians and cyclists within this area. The area qualifies for additional signage “for Cars only” as provided for in the Policy.
This Committee calls on the Chief Executive to initiate, without delay, the necessary measures to install the above traffic restrictions on both Kennelsfort Road Upper and the Estates between the R148 and Kennelsfort Road in accordance with the Mobility and Management of Heavy Goods Vehicles Policy of this Council."
REPORT:
The Current arrangement relating to HGV’s on Kennelsfort Road is in conformity with the Council policy.
As already explained to members the problem of heavy goods on Kennelsfort Road relates to Heavy Goods Vehicles only and this is why the restriction is set at 7.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).This done to prevent Heavy Goods vehicles using the road ( unless they have business in the area) because of their size whilst still permitting smaller commercial vehicles to traverse the route.
The original 3 tonne limit was not applicable after October 2013 and it was substituted by the 7.5 tonne limit on a restricted section of Kennelsfort road. This restriction on the length of the restriction along the road was agreed locally. It was agreed to review its operation and enforcement in September 2014 with a report to members. Additional signage was provided before the Gardai could enforce the new limit. The Garda authorities have attended the site on a number of occasions and have issued warnings to errant motorists
As the members were informed recently the Garda authorities have not yet implemented the on the spot fine system for legal reasons. These matters should be resolved shortly and it is intended that current arrangements be left in place to assess the effectiveness of the restriction and a report will be presented to members at the area committee in June of 2015.