COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM / TEMPLEOGUE / FIRHOUSE / BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 08, 2025

MOTION NO.9

MOTION: Councillor Y. Collins

That this Council increases the volume of the audible signal on all parts of the pedestrian crossing from the Yellow House to the Church of the Annunciation, Rathfarnham and the crossing to Rathfarnham Castle Park. As things stand, the low volume of the audible signal on all parts of this crossing makes it virtually impossible for someone who is blind or severely vision impaired to use this crossing independently as they cannot "identify the walk signal" if there is even slight ambient noise, and the low volume of the audible signals on the other side make it impossible to maintain alignment while crossing.

REPORT:

Following concerns raised regarding the low volume of audible signals at the pedestrian crossings from the Yellow House to the Church of the Annunciation, Rathfarnham, and the crossing to Rathfarnham Castle Park, South Dublin County Council arranged for an inspection and adjustment of the signal volume.

Works Completed:
Our traffic light maintenance contractor has visited the site and increased the volume of all push button units (PBUs). This adjustment ensures that the audible signals are now sufficiently loud to be identified and followed, even in the presence of ambient noise.

Outcome and Accessibility Improvements:
This improvement enhances the accessibility and usability of these crossings for individuals with vision impairments, enabling safer and more independent navigation of the area.

Reporting Issues:
Any issues with traffic lights can be reported to tmc@sdublincoco.ie for a quick response to faults or further adjustments if required.

Conclusion:
The adjustments made should significantly improve the functionality of the crossings for all users, particularly those with vision impairments. South Dublin County Council remains committed to ensuring safe and accessible pedestrian infrastructure for all.