COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, February 04, 2016

MOTION NO. 134

MOTION: Councillor J. Lahart

That the Development Plan 2016-20122 addresses the need for the residential nature of much of the CityWest Campus development to be reflected in safe ways for pedestrians, cyclists and children and not exclusively for business access vehicular traffic - that the Development Plan reflects the heavy residential character of this part of the County

REPORT:

TM3 Objective 3 states:

‘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’

The Actions of (TM) Policy 3 seek to ensure these objectives are achieved via the following: 

‘Ensure facilities for pedestrians and cyclists are designed in accordance with the principles, approaches and standards contained within the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets and the National Cycle Manual’

(TM) Policy 6 Road and Street Design also states that:

‘It is the policy of Council to ensure that streets and roads within the County are designed to balance the needs of place and movement, to provide a safe traffic-calmed street environment, particularly in sensitive areas and where vulnerable users are present’

This is further detailed within the Objectives listed under this Policy, namely:

TM6 Objective 1:

‘To appropriately apply speed limits taking into account the characteristics of the surrounding area, the design of the street environment and the presence of vulnerable users’

TM6 Objective 2: 

‘To ensure that all streets and street networks are designed to passively calm traffic through the creation of a self-regulating street environment’

And the following Actions

• ‘New roads and streets within urban areas shall be designed in accordance with the principles, approaches and standards contained within the DMURS’
   
• ‘That the design of street networks in new residential estates shall facilitate the implementation of Special Speed Limits, including the lowest speed limits applicable under current legislation’
   
• ‘Speed limits in urban areas will be set in accordance with the Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland, DTTAS (2015) and the Road Traffic Act 2004 (as amended), including the provision of Special Speed Limits (i.e. 30 km/h and 40 km/h zones) within town and village centres, residential areas and around schools’
   

These Actions are further detailed in Section 6.4.3(I) – Design of Streets and Roads in Urban Areas and Section 6.4.3(II) – Special Speed Limits.  The application of these National Guidelines within the County will ensure that all streets are designed to place an emphasis on slow modes of transport, provide for reduced traffic speeds and create a safer environment for vulnerable users.  Specific references to individual locations are not necessary. 

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment:

That the Development Plan 2016-20122 addresses the need for the residential nature of much of the  County to be reflected in safe ways for pedestrians, cyclists and children and not exclusively for business access vehicular traffic.