COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

MOTION NO.15

MOTION: Councillor Joanna Tuffy

To ask the CEO for a report about what steps it might steps are being taken or might be taken without the need for a Part 8, that would aim to make Lucan Village a safer route for cyclists, and pedestrian, including wheelchair users, while still catering for those that use their car to access the village, and if it is still planning a car free day in the village as previously agreed by the committee.

REPORT:

Cycle South Dublin (CySD) was adopted in 2021 and will be delivered over the next 8 years, resources permitting. The CySD routes will be primarily funded through the annual allocation from the National Transport Authority (NTA). The primary CySD route in Lucan Village is the Grand Canal to Royal Canal route.

SDCC and Fingal County Council (FCC) have been working together with the consultant on the Phase 2 Options and Feasibility report for the Grand Canal to Royal Canal route via Lucan. There have been some delays due to resourcing and a final report is currently expected in December 2023.

Once a final report is received, SDCC and FCC will present it to their respective councillors and launch an informal public consultation on the report/options. A date for this meeting and launch has yet to be determined.

That report will provide options for Phase 2, which if routed through the Village would provide an opportunity for improvements to the public realm and create a safer environment for all road users, particularly the most vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, people with disabilities and cyclists. It should be noted however, that space to provide such improvements would be required and could mean proposals to reallocate existing road space, car parking space, verge space or some other as yet unidentified land. This could be challenging in the confines of the Village.

It is permissible for works to be carried out under the powers available to us as set out in Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act. SDCC Active Travel have committed to conducting non-statutory consultations on significant schemes where we propose to use the Section 38 powers and to keep the Members fully informed.

The Lucan Village Public Realm scheme will commence works on site early in 2024, a separate presentation will shortly be made to the ACM Councillors on that scheme. The approved Part 8 for that scheme was amended to omit works on Main Street. There are no further proposed Village enhancements schemes proposed in Lucan Village under the Villages programme.

It is still a commitment of this Council to organise a "Car Free Day" (or days) in the County.  The Traffic section are happy to discuss with the elected members possible suitable locations and the timings of such car free days, preferably to coincide with events or festivals.