COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, February 27, 2023

QUESTION NO.

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

"To ask the CEO to confirm actions he now proposes to deal with the concerns of St Mark's Community School Parents Association and local residents in respect of traffic management issues around the main entrance to the school and on Cookstown Road; will he report on the recent visit of his officials to St Mark's Community School to discuss the issues and confirm the proposed schedule to complete the works and make a statement?"

REPLY:

A meeting was held between representatives of St. Mark's Community School and SDCC on 31st January 2023.

Issues regarding the inconsiderate and illegal parking by parents were discussed. It was agreed that SDCC would provide an educational piece for the school to distribute to the parents.

Crossing points for students, teachers and other road users were discussed. A proposal is underway by SDCC's Traffic Section to secure funding for a raised belisha beacon crossing point near the pedestrian access on Cookstown Road. A Road Safety Audit is required in advance of the works and procurement of this audit is underway.  This work will be carried out in the 2023 programme year.

The uncontrolled/ courtesty crossing near the entrance on Fettercairn Rd was discussed. The crossing is line marked, and has a refuge island to calm traffic and allow for the safe crossing of pedestirans. There are ramps on both approaches to this crossing. There are "Slow School Ahead" road markings on both approaches. It is proposed to relocate one of the existing warning signs closer to the crossing point. This work will be carried within 8 weeks. 

The pedestrian entrance to the school is currently not in use and students are using the vehicular entrance to access this crossing. This is not best practice and needs to be amended by the Department of Educuation as it falls within their boundary.

Set down areas for parents at drop off and collection were discussed and are not recommended as this does not encourage sustainable movement options such as walking or cycling. 

Double yellow lines (dyl) were requested near the Cookstown Road entrance to the school. The road has a solid white line in place, parking is prohibited opposite a solid white line and so dyl are not recommended. Illegal parking is enforced by An Garda Síochána.