COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

MOTION NO.2

MOTION: Councillor A. Hayes

That this Committee requests SDCC to undertake a survey of both noise and air pollution generated by traffic volumes, stopping and starting at the junctions of The Oval and Kennelsfort Road in Palmerstown.

REPORT:

  1. There are currently two noise monitors close to this location that provide real time noise results. There is one which is operated by SDCC and is located at Palmerstown Court, https://sdcc.sonitussystems.com/monitor/SDCC-010 and the second noise monitor is run by TII and this is located at the old Lucan road, https://tii.sonitussystems.com/monitor/10581
  1. In February 2021 Environmental Health in South Dublin County Council agreed to participate in a pilot scheme to monitor NO2 levels (an indicator of car exhaust pollution) at various sites around County Dublin. The Council worked with the EPA and Bureau Veritas to select 10 suitable sites for monitoring in both the Tallaght and Clondalkin areas. Sites were picked based on the close proximity of housing to a main or major roadway (M50, N7, R120 at Rathcoole, R136 Adamstown, R113 Clondalkin). One of the sites location was located at the junction of Kennelsfort Road and the Chapelizod bypass.

Following site selection diffusion tubes were installed to passively monitor for four week periods, over the course of the year. The monitoring tubes are collected and replaced on a monthly basis and dispatched for analysis. The results were returned for review. In 2022 we have noted that results ranged from 7 to 29 micrograms/ m3 which is noted to be indicative of low levels of atmospheric NO2 and do not exceed EU NO2 emission limit values. In consultation with EPA, the projected was ceased in mid 2022 due to the consistent low levels of NO2 recorded.

  1. An upgrade is currently ongoing on the 11 noise monitors in place in SDCC area to ensuring we avail of the latest technology in monitoring the noise levels in our local areas. Real time data viewable on https://sdcc.sonitussystems.com/
  1. Noise Action Plan (NAP) 2024-2028 has been finalised July 2024 and is published on SDCC website.  https://www.sdcc.ie/en/services/our-council/policies-and-plans/

This is a Dublin Agglomeration and has specific section for SDCC functional area, including noise maps in Chapter 14.

The plan has identified 10 Priority Important Areas (PIAs) in SDCC area.  Further investigative surveys or projects in respect of noise monitoring and actions would have regard to the NAP.  Having only been finalised in July 2024, it is early stage implementation and will require a collaborative approach across all SDCC departments.  Funding has been secured for investigative work on one of the PIAs identified and this is ongoing at present.  The outcome and learning from this will be used to direct future projects.