COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

MOTION NO. 17

MOTION: Councillor B. Bonner

"This committee urges the Chief Executive to authorise the opening of a pedestrian access from Alpine / Ashwood onto the Fonthill Road and that thereafter funding should continue to be sought to fully develop the cycleway / walkway from Bawnogue Church across the green to join with this pedestrian opening."

REPORT:

Regarding the proposed pedestrian and cycle route from Fonthill Road to Bawnogue via public open space, this permeability project is extremely important for this area. However, due to the long Part 8 process, we failed to get funding in previous years for this project. An application was made in 2015 to the National Transport Authority for funding and a reply is currently being awaited.

In the intervening period Roads Construction and Public Realm Sections examined the possibly of opening an entry in the wall in advance of the footpath works. They have advised against that action, as the full project will include detailed design and construction of the route and will deliver proper surfacing, lighting, drainage etc. to lead to the opening. The detailed design will also ensure that any change in level between the open space and the external footpath / roadway is properly accommodated. Delivering the opening in advance of the detail design and the footpath would not be recommended.

Separate submissions have been made to the NTA since the application indicating how vital SDCC feel this project is to the area. The NTA have other priorities as well but we remain hopeful that they will consider this application to have merit and at least allocate some funding to get the project underway. It has been found in previous years that if the NTA get the projects started they continue to fund them to completion.

We expect the results of the funding allocation to be received in the coming weeks.