COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, February 04, 2016

MOTION NO. 128

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

Motion: Cllr G. O’Connell, Cllr P. Gogarty, Cllr L. O’Toole

That, notwithstanding the comments of the DEC&LG Ref 0183, The NRA and TII, the objective as set out in Table 6.5 Six Year Plan and Table 6.6 Medium to Long Term Plan to provide a segregated junction at Kennelsfort/R148 shall remain part of the 2016 – 2022 Development Plan and is noted It is also noted that concerns have been raised that the proposed upgrade would not be in accordance with established policy. Section 5.8.3 - Principles of Road Development of the Draft Transport Stagey for the Greater Dublin Region states that: ‘That there will be no significant increase in road capacity for private vehicles on radial roads inside the M50 motorway’. This is not the purpose of the proposed segregated junction; safety for pedestrians and cyclists, reduction of air and noise pollution, the integrity of the community as well as the free movement of Buses, Public Transport and Commercial Vehicles are the real issues.

It is accepted that this has been a long standing approach from the NTA, as further noted in Section 3.2.6 of the Road Network Draft Transport Strategy: ‘Since the mid-1990s, transport policy in the GDA has been directed towards reducing the growth in car travel and increasing the use of public transport, cycling and walking. The Section 5.8.2 Regional and Local Roads of the Draft Transport Strategy states: ‘Address localised traffic delay locations, including on radial routes inside the M50 C-Ring, in cases where the primary reason for intervention is to address safety or public transport issues at such locations’

It is accepted that the provision of a segregated junction, or flyover, at this location is a substantial financial commitment. A project of this scale could not be funded by SDCC alone and the support of the NTA would also be crucial should funding from a national agency be sought. As such a strong case for such funding must be made early in the lifetime of the 2016-2022 CDP, supported by a feasibility study and strong cost/benefit analysis that shows a substantial improvement in the level of service afforded to sustainable users, whilst not increasing the capacity of the street network for private cars.

REPORT:

The provision of a segregated or grade separated junctions at Kennelsfort Road and the R148 has been addressed in reports to council at Development Plan meetings in February 2015 and June 2015.  The following item was agreed by Council and added to Table 6.5 - Six Year Road Programme:

‘grade separated junction to enhance the efficiency of the junction, particularly for buses on the N4/Lucan Road QBC and ensure safe crossing facilities are provided for all users’

Concerns have been raised by the NTA in regard to the proposed junction stating that it may that the proposed upgrade would not be in accordance with established policy.  Section 5.8.3 - Principles of Road Development of the Draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Region states that: 

‘That there will be no significant increase in road capacity for private vehicles on radial roads inside the M50 motorway’

This has been a long standing approach from the NTA, as further noted in Section of the 3.2.6 Road Network of the Draft Transport Strategy:

‘Since the mid-1990s, transport policy in the GDA has been directed towards reducing the growth in car travel and increasing the use of public transport, cycling and walking.  Complementing this approach has been a policy of not increasing road capacity for private cars on radial roads inside the M50. The basis for these policies is recognition that it is unrealistic and unsustainable to accommodate growth in travel demand across the region through car based movement’ 

It is noted however that the R148 has been declassified (ie the former N4).  It is also noted that Section 5.8.2 Regional and Local Roads of the Draft Transport Strategy states: 

‘Address localised traffic delay locations, including on radial routes inside the M50 C-Ring, in cases where the primary reason for intervention is to address safety or public transport issues at such locations’

Taking the above into account, a case may be made that demonstrates a substantial improvement in the level of service afforded to sustainable users, whilst not increasing the capacity of the street network for private cars.  However the provision of a segregated junction, or flyover, at this location would be a substantial financial commitment that is beyond the scope of current funding. 

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion be adopted subject to the reference to a ‘grade separated junction’ is omitted from Table 6.5.