COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

MOTION NO.16

MOTION: Councillor L. O'Toole

That this Council asks the Chief Executive to confirm whether an examination was carried out on the potential for a one-way traffic system between the two schools on Griffeen Road as had been previously raised for consideration. Members had highlighted this as an opportunity during the planning stages of the school noting the serious traffic congestion along Griffeen Road. Since the adoption of the SDZ congestion has not eased in fact, it has worsened. I also refer to the motion I raised and which was agreed in 2022 on this matter. Clarity is now sought on whether the requested examination was undertaken and if not, why not and whether this matter can still be looked at and treated as urgent. copy of motion: MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE Tuesday, March 22, 2022 MOTION NO. 13 MOTION: Councillor L. O'Toole The planning application for a new build for Griffeen community college has been granted. This news was welcomed by all in the community. This committee asks that the Chief Executive examines the planned exits and entrances for the new school. The committee requests that management provides a plan to designing new entrances/exits at Adamstown link road, for many reasons including addressing the congested traffic along Griffeen Avenue. REPORT: The subject street to the south of the school sites is bound on either side by development land identified for provision of housing as per the Clonburris SDZ Planning Scheme. The subject street is also intended to form an important infrastructural corridor with strategic foul and surface water network as per the respective SDZ strategies to serve the wider housing development on SDZ lands north of the railway line. The purpose of the street, as per the overall Clonburris SDZ Planning Scheme framework, is multifaceted. It is intended that the design of access onto Thomas Omer Way/Adamstown Avenue will be examined as part of proposals for housing in this area. This will have to consider these multifaceted functions and the Planning Scheme 'Overall Movement Concept' (Figure 2.2.7) which defines hierarchy of streets, movement corridors and indicates possible junction formats. This is in order to avoid costly premature works and to ensure that any proposal does not impede on the development lands to the south of the school sites and does not undermine this route as a strategic SDZ-wide infrastructure route. Plans for these lands are being progressed by the Housing Section as part of SDCC's commitment to housing delivery in Clonburris SDZ.

REPORT:

The potential for a one-way road on Griffeen Road has never been fully examined by the traffic section of South Dublin County Council.  The existing road network does not lend itself to the introduction of a one way system. The Griffeen road and potential detours are particularly long and circuitous.  This means that the congestion caused by detouring vehicles outweighs any potential benefits.  The consequent traffic will have to do longer journeys and the traffic will be diverted onto the surrounding roads.  

The primary solutions are:  Continued investment in cycling, pedestrian and public transport service and  an increase in more sustainable travel choices made by commuters.  There are very good cycle lanes on Griffeen Road and Griffeen Avenue, the R136 and Thomas Omer Way.  This infrastructure is underutilised at present.

The Motion on the 22 of March 2022, specifically mentions Griffeen Community College and the answer given at that time centred around this development and how it integrated with other elements of the Clonburris SDZ plan. (The report given is restated in the Motion above)

Since then, the Clonburris SDZ is being delivered with very good pedestrian, cycling and bus connectivity (W4 and 151 services). More bus services are being considered by the NTA for the area and engagement on this matter is currently ongoing.  An additional pedestrian crossing on Thomas Omer Way near the Community College has just been delivered to complete a fully connected route to the Community College.

In summary, the traffic congested areas mentioned are well served with footpath, cycling and public transport connections.  These are currently underutilised by commuters.  The Council along with our transport stakeholders, are adding to the range of options available for commuters.  SDCC will continue to promote these sustainable travel options and add to the sustainable options where possible.