COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

MOTION NO.6

MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

That the Chief Executive presents the results of the independent audits carried out in relation to the junction upgrades in Griffeen Road, Lucan, as well as any other recent projects for Turret Road/Wheatfield Road junction in Palmerstown, Manor Road and Woodfarm Avenue and also at the entrance to Esker Meadow, Lucan (should any of these have already been audited at time of meeting) reporting on any recommendations that will be followed up as a result, given that residents have queried safe access/egress at all of these locations; and if a statement can be made on the matter.

REPORT:

The Griffeen Road Scheme included work at several junctions and these have been conducted under a Pilot Project.  As this work is different in nature and has a significant cost, it was decided to conduct an independent Stage 3 Road Safety Audit to assist in the learning process under this pilot scheme. This audit is due to be fully completed by the end of January and a report received in February.  

This approach aligns with the Department of Transport Guidance advice note:

Where the intended road works are above €500,000 in value or where the works are complex in their design or there are exceptional safety issues at the site locations, a formal independent Road Safety Audit will be produced for the scheme.

The Department of Transport guidance note goes on to quote the following:

"Where works relate to low-cost safety less than €0.5m (incl. VAT), a formal audit would merely duplicate a situation where specialist consideration has already been given to safety issues."

Therefore, in relation to pedestrian crossings, traffic calming and minor alteration works, these schemes will only include SDCC considerations of the safety factors as per the guidance quoted above.  The reason for this is that these works have very standardised approaches to their design, and siting.  The implementation of these low cost interventions are set out clearly in documents such as the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets and the National Cycling Manual.