COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS
Friday, January 26, 2018
MOTION NO. 120
MOTION: Councillor D. O'Brien
Page 32, in 2.2.5 Bridges insert a new paragraph after the last paragraph: “Additional footbridges will be provided to manage pedestrian crossings roads with high volumes of traffic including on Griffeen Road at an appropriate point linking KNWS1 to KNES1/KNES2.”
Louise Dunne, Cathal King, Danny O’Brien, Mark Ward
REPORT:
Response
The provision of adequate transport infrastructure including pedestrian facilities is provided for under the Draft Planning Scheme and this is demonstrated by the Transport Assessment and Strategy that accompanies the Draft Planning Scheme. The Draft Planning Scheme also includes for the traffic calming of existing roads such as Grange Castle Road and Adamstown Avenue and the provision of signalised/upgraded junctions, 3 of which will provide for improved pedestrian safety and accessibility between KNWS1 and KNES1/KNES2. The provision of a street footbridge would be at variance with DMURS and in considered unnecessary.
The Transport Assessment and Strategy that accompanies the Draft Planning Scheme demonstrates that the proposed street network, pedestrian and cycle network together with existing and planned pubic transport, street upgrades and junctions improvements will be sufficient to provide for the transport needs of the SDZ lands including pedestrians. The accessibility assessment carried out as part of the Transport Assessment and Strategy:
- assesses the impact of proposals on pedestrian and cyclist facilities;
- ensures for the optimum siting of residential development that will supported by public transport, walking and cycling; and
- identifies the most suitable location s for medical, education and other services so that people can reach them effortlessly.
Within the context of the above it is a key principle of Section 2.2 of the Draft Planning Scheme to upgrade existing sections of strategic roads to integrated urban streets with reduced traffic speeds including Grange Castle Road and Adamstown Avenue. This will involve a combination of measures including the provision of signalised junctions, double planting, transition zones, on-street parking and frontage from development.
Improvements to existing junctions including roundabout junctions are identified and detailed under the Transport Assessment and Strategy (Chapter 7) and Figure 2.2.7 (Overall Movement Concept) of the Planning Scheme. This includes for the upgrader of busy roads such as Grange Castle Road and Adamstown Avenue to urban streets. A total of 3 junction signalised/upgraded junctions (S2, S3 and S15) will provide signalling for improved safety and movement for pedestrians between KNWS1 and KNES1/KNES2.
Within the context of the above, the provision of overhead pedestrian crossings, which are at variance with DMURS in terms of the creation of shared/integrated streets, is not considered to be appropriate or necessary. The segregation of pedestrians from streets and crossings would promote faster traffic and create environments at a wider level that are unfavourable to pedestrians. Such crossings would also need to be designed in accordance with the requirements of building regulations on accessibility.
Recommendation
It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.
Strategic Environmental Assessment of Chief Executive’s Recommendation
No interaction with Strategic Environmental Objectives.
Strategic Environmental Assessment of Proposed Motion
No interaction with Strategic Environmental Objectives. The provision of overhead pedestrian crossings, which are at variance with DMURS in terms of the creation of shared/integrated streets, is not considered to be appropriate or necessary. This may also increase overall transport footprint cumulatively within the planning scheme; for these reasons it is not recommended for adoption.
Appropriate Assessment Screening of Chief Executive’s Recommendation
No likely significant effects on European sites within the SDZ’s zone of influence are predicted.