COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

MOTION NO. 17

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

"Notwithstanding the report given at the January meeting of this Committee, to ask the CE why the wishes of the elected members as expressed at the July Council meeting by 30 votes to 1 with no abstentions, that a 3.5T restriction be put on Kennelsfort Road and the residential cell between it and the R148, were not acted upon especially as there are a number of inaccuracies in the following report as presented at that meeting, they were challenged at the time and at the earlier LAC and the challenge still stands:

“The current arrangement in relation to HGV's on Kennelsfort Road is in conformity with the Council's Policy Document "The Mobility and Management of Heavy Goods Vehicles on South Dublin County Road Network". The Council complies with the relevant traffic regulations and Traffic Signs Manual as directed by the Minister in relation to the provision of a weight restriction on the road. Traffic calming is in place, the speed of traffic is low and pedestrian crossings are also provided. As reported by An Garda Síochána following patrolling and checkpoints since April, HGV use of the road is at a low level and much of this type of traffic is of local nature. The amount of HGV’s observed on Kennelsfort Road is not disproportionate to the road network and similar roads. Previous site meetings with Council staff and local stakeholders observed no desire to restrict vehicles less than 7.5 tonnes.”

In particular, at a site meeting with local residents in April 2014, local residents made a very strong case for a 3.5T restriction and only agreed to the 7.5T restriction for a TRIAL PERIOD on the bases that: 1. the restriction zone would be redefined as between the entrance to Woodfarm Acres and the R148 (contains no commercial buildings and would be easier to enforce). This has been done. 2. The Council would liaise with An Garda Siochana to have it enforced. It was reported at the LAC Nov 2014 (41377) that it had not been monitored by An Garda due to a technical problem. 3. The Council would meet again with the residents in Sept 2014 to review the situation. No such meeting has taken place. Secondly, the accuracy of An Garda report on the number of transgressions has to be questioned as it does not tally with either local experience as reported by people living on the road or with the response to my motion at the January LAC meeting which reported 3 to 4 transgressions which were “not deemed out of line with local” access. But there are NO commercial premises within the restricted zone, which raises the question of what the norm is. Finally, there are no traffic calming restrictions on the "Cell"."

REPORT:

Whilst the elected members of the Council voted to support a motion requesting a change in the exemption limit on Kennelsfort Road, it is a statutory requirement that the Council consult with the Garda Commissioner on such change. The outcome of the consultation as outlined at the January meeting was a letter from the Gardai recommending that the current weight limit of 7.5 tonnes remain. This response has been further endorsed by an additional letter from a more senior level in Dublin Castle, the Deputy Commissioner of Operations stating his position that the current limit of 7.5 tonnes should remain.

The Council position remains that 7.5 tonnes is the appropriate limit.