COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

QUESTION NO.5

QUESTION: Councillor S. O'Hara

To ask the Chief Executive to report as to the current position as regards the review of the NTA's GDA Strategy and in consultation with TII and relevant local authorities on the potential of a further extension of the new road link from the N7 to the N81 under the Six Year Road Programme of the Development Plan.

REPLY:

The N7 to M81 link road is in the County development plan as an objective under the 6 year programme.  In the Function column of Table 7.5 within the County Development Plan it says:

New Road to link between the N7 and the N4 Leixlip Interchange with a route by-pass function around Rathcoole and Saggart and the potential for a further extension of this route from the N7 to the N81. The function of this route would be primarily to provide resilience to the M50, recognising that this may also provide additional resilience to peripheral roads within the county, in particular between the N7 and N4. Further connections and possible alternative routes will be determined through the review of the NTA’s GDA Strategy and in consultation with TII and relevant local authorities.

SDCC has met with the NTA on this item and they referred us to the following measure within the GDA Transport Strategy2022 to 2042:

Measure ROAD9 - Regional and Local Roads Policy

2. Enhance orbital movement between the N3, the N4 and N7 national roads, by improving existing roads and/or the development of new road links where deemed appropriate, for the purpose of providing resilience to the operation of the M50 and incorporating provision for sustainable transport;

Progressing this strategic road project would have to be done by TII and NTA. SDCC is arranging a meeting with the TII in relation to their views on the need for this new link road. 

When we have further definitive facts from TII on this matter we will report it to the members.

But in summary, this new link road from the N7 to the N81 will only get government financial support if it acts as link providing resilience to the operation of the M50 and it incorporates provision for sustainable transport. At this stage TII or the NTA have not started this project and no funding has been earmarked to commence it.