COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 18, 2015

MOTION NO. 253

MOTION: Councillor C. Brophy

That all proposed road developments take into equal account the impact of design changes on existing road users,the primary current vehicle type using the road and the surrounding communities recognising the outer suburban nature of our county and the need for car transport

Co-sponsor Cllr Willian Lavelle

REPORT:

The need to balance the transport and mobility requirements of different users within the County is acknowledged throughout Chapter 6 of the Chief Executives Draft, notably 

Section 6.0:  Introduction

‘One of the major challenges facing the County during the life of this Plan is the need to promote and provide for sustainable transport options, whilst maintaining the effectiveness of the County’s road network’

‘The social, economic and environmental wellbeing of South Dublin County and the Dublin Region is dependent on the efficient and sustainable movement of people and goods within and through the County. This can be achieved by providing for a range of transport options that are safe, reliable and offer value for money’

‘Continued investment in the County’s road network is necessary to ensure the efficient movement of people and goods within the County, to provide access to developing areas and to support economic activity. It is also acknowledged that the creation of more road space to cater for traffic, particularly in existing areas, is expensive and may serve to attract more cars to the network. Managing travel demand and freeing up road space will be one of the key challenges that the Council will face during the lifetime of this Plan’

This is further reflected throughout various Polices/Policy Objectives contained within the Draft.

This approach takes into account the widely varying characteristics of the County and the need for different approaches to be taken in different areas.  For example the transport needs in peripheral villages, such as Newcastle, differ significantly from those in outer suburban areas, such as Oldbawn, which differ significantly again from those areas within the M50, such as Templeogue.  

Concerns are also raised in regard to any requirement that may be interpreted as seeking to maintain the dominance of the private car within the County.  Any such policy would contravene national and regional transportation polices, including Section 28 Ministerial Guidelines, as well as several Policies and Policy Objectives within the draft Plan, namely: 

TM1 Objective 3: To focus on improvements to the local road and street network that better utilise existing road space and encourage a transition toward more sustainable modes of transport.

TM1 Objective 5:  To balance the needs of road users with the need to support the development of a sustainable transportation network.

TM3 Objective 3:  To ensure that all streets and street networks are designed to prioritise the movement of pedestrians and cyclists within a safe and comfortable environment for a wide range of ages, abilities and journey types.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.