COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTON/NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

QUESTION NO. 21

QUESTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

To ask the Chief Executive to explain the cycleway policy. The new emphasis on giving priority to pedestrians and cyclists (and public transport) is to be welcomed but its not clear how it is to be achieved in practice. When installing the (recent) cycleway between Palmerstown and Chapelizod, there was much concern when a 'Shared' system was introduced where the traditional road markings designating the pedestrian and cycle lanes were absent. Now it does appear that both are again separated and often often further separated from motorised traffic by a line of bollards. Retrofitting some residential areas in this fashion is causing serious concern for many people. Which is it to be segregated or shared or a mixture?

REPLY:

South Dublin’s cycle way policy is aligned with National Policy and that of the NTA.

When designing cycling infrastructure the Councils first preference is to provide segregated cycle tracks where possible. Shared cycle and pedestrian paths and on road cycle tracks are then considered, always with health and safety for all road users at the forefront of projects.

The cycling and pedestrian facilities provided between Palmerstown and Chapelizod, constructed 6-7 years ago, has a shared cycle pedestrian path, this path is 4m at its widest, and 3m at its narrowest, due to a constriction at that location.

Bollards have been used along Wellington Lane, Templeogue, as part of the temporary scheme and a trial scheme beginning this month. Other methods of light segregation are being investigated and examined by the Covid19 Light Segregation Team.

As road carriageways are of different widths throughout the county, designs of cycleways will be a mixture of segregated, shared and off road infrastructure as constraints allow.