COMHAIRLE CHONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 13, 2006

MOTION No. 1

MOTION: Councillor T. Ridge

Mayor's Business

"That a report be brought re the Park and Ride proposals for South Dublin County Council."

REPORT:

1.  While bus-based P&R is presently limited to a small site provided on Grange Road in conjunction with the Rathfarnham QBC scheme, proposals are currently in development to provide bus-based P& R at locations off the N4 and N7 radial routes which will allow for up to 1000+ car spaces at each location. Initial survey-work has been completed, and preliminary layouts have been prepared for both sites, and work is underway on preparation of the required Environmental Impact Statements.  An economic feasibility study has been completed, and a full business case study will be undertaken as part of the EIS process. The sites are designed to serve the City Centre by means of a dedicated bus service, with a possible option to develop a 500-space site serving the Red Cow LUAS stop as a first phase in the case of the N7. Applications have been made to the Department of Transport for the necessary bus-licences which it is proposed wiill be offered as a franchise by way of public tender, and discussions are ongoing with the Department of Transport to identify funding for the project. It is anticipated that the EIS documents could be submitted to An Bord Pleanala by end-April or early-May.

2.  Rail-based P&R facilities for up to 500 vehicles are presently available at the Red Cow LUAS stop. These were provided as part of the LRT contract works and are in the control of the RPA. Access to the site is restricted by the present road layout, particularly from the Clondalkin area, and this accounts for the limited use currently being experienced. This situation will be rectified on completion of the M50 upgrade works at Red Cow, including the provision of the Grade Separated Access linking Monastery Road to the Park & Ride site. Additional rail-based P&R facilities (c.450 spaces) will be provided at the Tallaght LUAS terminus as part of the Keanebury mixed development which is currently under construction.