COMHAIRLE CHONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (2)

Monday 24th April 2006

MOTION No. 3

MOTION: Councillor C. Jones

"That this committee calls for an on-site meeting to be held without delay to discuss and resolve the present danger arising from the use of roads in the Bohernabreena/Ballinascorney area by HGV’s."

REPORT:

The Balinascorney and Aghfarrell Roads provide access to a number of quarrying operations which by their nature require access by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on a regular basis. There have been numerous meetings held with, and representations received from, residents and business operators in the Ballinascorney area over the years, all seeking to ban movement by HGVs on the Ballinascorney road fronting their properties. This is considered unreasonable given that the quarry operators are entitled to pursue their activities and avail of the public roads in doing so. Access to the quarrying operations from the Aghfarrell end is via Brittas Village.  The requirements of the Ballinacorney residents must be balanced against those of the Brittas Village residents, including the local National School, in any measures proposed to improve the overall situation.

In addressing the matter to date, the Council has introduced three tonne limits at either end of the Ballinascorney Road which prohibits access by any HGV through traffic, i.e. any HGVs not having the quarrying operations as their destination or point of origin. In addition, various signing and lining improvements have been introduced to improve safe driving practices along the route by all users, and the speed limit between Bohernabreena and Brittas has been reduced to 60 km/h in lieu of the standard limit for non-national routes of 80 km/h. It is considered that the measures introduced to date provide an adequate response to the concerns of the Ballinascorney residents, while having regard to the needs of other users and occupants along the entire route from Bohernabreena to Brittas. This is borne out by the accident records for this route, which compare favourably with similar routes in the county.