COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

MOTION NO. 5

MOTION: Councillor B. Bonner

"Given the ongoing grave risk to health and safety posed by the practice of people climbing the railed wall to get to the Fonthill Road from the Alpine / Ashwood area, this committee recommends that a pedestrian opening be inserted in this wall without delay.  The improvement of the rail service from the nearby station has led to even more people climbing the wall on a daily basis.  

REPORT:

The following report was presented to the Clondalkin Area Committee meeting in February 2016:

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.

Whilst it is disappointing that this project has still not received the required funding, the Council is hopeful that it will be in a position to secure it and will continue to engage forcefully with the NTA on the matter.