COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING
Thursday, February 04, 2016
MOTION NO. 136
MOTION: Councillor F. Warfield
That this council not pursue the draft development plan proposal linking a bridge between Firhouse and Old Bawn across Dodder Valley Park.
Cllr. Brendan Ferron
Cllr. Fintan Warfield
REPORT:
Table 6.6 – Medium to Long Tern Road Objectives includes a proposal for the Firhouse-N81 Bridge between Firhouse Road and the N81 (Glenview Roundabout). The primary purpose of this bridge is:
‘To relieve traffic congestion around the Oldcourt Local Centre/Bridge and facilitate the possible routing of the Tallaght Swiftway (Bus Rapid Transport)’
The proposed bridge will also assist in the mitigation of additional pressures placed on the existing Oldbawn Bridge by the development of the lands to the south within the Ballycullen-Oldcourt Local Area Plan.
The existing Oldbawn Bridge experiences significant congestion at the AM and PM peaks. This is a particular concern in relation to delays for bus services. The Draft Transport Strategy 2016-2035 for the Greater Dublin Area proposes to introduce a number of new/improved bus services in the Firhouse/Oldbawn area, including:
- Tallaght - Clongriffin Bus Rapid Transport.
- Tallaght - Rathfarnham – Terenure Core Radial Bus Route
- Tallaght - UCD/Dundrum Core Orbital Bus Corridor
The provision of these services will be the subject of a route selection process. This will include the option of utilising the existing Oldbawn Bridge. This area is however is subject to a number of constraints including:
- Limited road space: At present there is no available road space to enable the provision of segregated bus lanes. The creation of the additional space will require the widening/duplication of the existing bridge and the compulsory purchase of sites.
- Delays at multiple junctions: There are three signalised junctions within 200m of the Oldbawn Bridge. It is also likely that the junction of the R113 and Killininny Road will need to be upgraded in future, resulting in four signalised junctions within 400m.
- Built heritage: The Oldbawn Bridge is a listed on Record of Monuments and Places (Schedule 1). The weir immediately adjacent to the bridge is listed on the Record of Protected Structures (schedule 2). This presents a major constraint to the widening and/or duplication of the bridge.
- Additional pressures: As noted above, congestion in this area is likely to increase with the development of lands associated with the Ballycullen-Oldcourt LAP.
In recognition of these constraints, Section 4.2.5 of the Draft Transport Strategy refers to ‘a public transport bridge over the Dodder to the east of Tallaght from Firhouse Road to the N81’.
Whilst it is acknowledged that the proposed bridge is the subject of significant local opposition (and environmental constraints) it is difficult to see how the levels of service required for BRT and the Core Bus Network could be achieved via the Old Bawn Bridge. Should the proposed Firhouse-N81 be omitted from the Draft Plan, it is likely that high frequency services will routed elsewhere such as via Spawell Roundabout and N81. From a suitable transport perspective this would be undesirable, as large sections of this route are sparsely populated.
It should be noted that the proposed location of the bridge is indicative only, and would need to be finalised following a more detailed appraisal and design process. This would include environmental and transport/traffic appraisals (such as an Environmental Impact Statement), which will require a range of alternatives to be considered and would address detailed concerns regarding the impacts of any proposal.
Recommendation
It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.