COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
MOTION NO.25
MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell
To ask the Chief Executive Officer to have an overall review of traffic management in the Palmerstown Community carried out and that it include
(a) the current 7.5T restriction and show clearly if it is in line with the EU Directive and the current Council Policy on the Mobility and Management of Heavy Goods Vehicles on South Dublin County Road Network
(b) traffic movement and regulation on the residential cell between Kennelsfort Road Upper and the R148 at the Oval including the laneways
(c) traffic movement and regulation on Kennelsfort Road Lower and the Village/Old Lucan Road area
(d) the sequencing of the traffic lights at the Junction of Kennelsfort Road/R148.
And that it take full cognisance of the recent significant works carried out around both primary schools and surrounding roads as well as works designed to protect pedestrians and and cyclists and the general regulations aimed at encouraging alternative modes of transport as well as the health and safety of the residential population.
REPORT:
(a) 7.5 tonne weight restriction: The setting of weight restrictions on the County Roads within our charge is in accordance with SI 332 of 2012 which aligns with EU primary legislation.
SI 332 is the Irish legislation underpinning the the classification categories for weight restrictions. In this particular statutory instrument there was a change in the classification of weight restriction bands from one of unladen weight to Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
Gross vehicular weight is a measure of the weight of the vehicle including fuel, cooling fluid and oils, plus the maximum design carrying weight of that vehicle.
Using these weight bands, it was decided that the most appropriate weight band for Kennelsfort Road was 7.5 tonne gross vehicular weight. This means that vehicles greater than 7.5 tonnes GVW should not be driving on Kennelsfort Road lower unless they have a legitimate reason for doing so. This assessment of particular allowable and not allowable vehicles is a matter for the Gardai to determine.
The 7.5 tonne weight restriction on Kennelsfort road Upper has gone through the prescribed process under SI 332 of 2012 and in accordance with the agreed SDCC policy on:
"The Mobility and Management of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV’s) on South Dublin County Road Network."
This policy was agreed and adopted by the Council in 2017 after detailed deliberations by a sub committee of both the Transportation SPC and the Planning and Economic Development SPC’s was formed.
(b) Traffic Management on the Oval and Laneways:
The same 7.5 tonne weight restriction applies in the residential area of the Oval. There is a weight restriction sign as you enter the Oval from the R148. I believe that some school safety and access improvements have been carried out at the Oval.
The Council has agreed to look at a number of options to improve safety and access on the Palmerstown laneways. Resident agreement on any proposed changes to the traffic management is needed before any changes are delivered. Any laneway improvements must be phased as they are subject to budget and resource availability.
(c) traffic movement and regulation on Kennelsfort Road Lower and the Village/Old Lucan Road area:
SDCC has recently implemented improvements to the left turn only vehicle movement at access of the Palmerstown Gate development. SDCC has also committed to add additional parking space lining on the northern side Old Lucan Road in the Village.
(d) the sequencing of the traffic lights at the Junction of Kennelsfort Road/R148.
SDCC believe that the sequencing of the lights is currently optimised at this junction. This sequencing has been looked at several times in recent months. It is a busy junction, and some tail backs are present at peak times. I can confirm that the junction traffic light phasing is at optimum efficiency.