COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNTY COUNCIL
Thursday, December 11, 2025
MOTION NO.3 (ID:89350)
MOTION: Councillor L. de Courcy
That this council agree traffic in Clondalkin village is heavily congested at certain times of the day and any alterations/improvements to the roads in the village do not further impede the flow of traffic by reducing the number of lanes, narrowing roads, or tightening access to and from estates within the LPF.
CE Report:
The proposed motion seeks the council to agree traffic in Clondalkin is heavily congested at certain times of the day and any alterations / improvements to the roads on the village do not further impede the flow of traffic by reducing the number of lanes, narrowing roads or tightening access to and from estates.
It is recognised that there is traffic congestion in the village and the suite of preferred options in the local transport plan, brought forward through the relevant objectives into the local planning framework, have sought to reduce congestion by setting out measures to provide alternative ways to travel where this is feasible for people. This is particularly relevant for shorter journeys where the potential to walk and cycle would be made easier by increased permeability and improved cycle lanes. It was clear from the transport analysis that many of the journeys in the car are short journeys, within the LPF area, often to bring children to school. The more we can provide the infrastructure to encourage walking and cycling for these short journeys, the less congestion there is likely to be on the roads for motorists.
Chapter 5 of the LPF has included a section on ‘Road, Traffic and Junction Management’ with associated objectives under SM9. The only objective setting out the actions for junctions is as follows:
SM9 Objective 1: To assess the need for junction improvements, upgrading where necessary to improve road safety for all users, giving priority to those most vulnerable, while providing for traffic flow in and out of the village centre.
Any future traffic interventions will take a balanced view for all modes of travel when designing any transport and movement proposals for Clondalkin Village, taking account of the existing context of the road and its use and noting that junction improvements will only be upgraded where necessary to improve the road safety for all users (as per the objective in the LPF quoted above). The movement priority hierarchy will be as per the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS 2013, updated 2019) and the movement chapter in the SDCC County Development Plan 2022 – 2028. As stated in DMURS Figure 2.21 ‘User Hierarchy that promotes and prioritises sustainable forms of transportation’, the order of importance for travel modes are as follows:
- Pedestrians
- Cyclists
- Public Transport
- Motorists
SDCC is obliged to adhere to the Department of Transport in Circular RW 6/2013 which states ‘that the DMURS is mandatory when providing new or modifying existing urban roads and streets within the 60 km/h urban speed limit zone, except for motorways and in exceptional circumstances, on certain urban roads and streets where the written consent of the relevant approving authority has been obtained’.
This obligation has been recognised in the CE Report following a submission from the NTA and the CE Recommendation (outlined in bold) to amend:
SM2 Objective 2: To support the development of future pedestrian crossing infrastructure and improvement projects outlined in Figure 5.7, subject to a reduction in speed limits and detailed review and design, including compliance with DMURS, to facilitate a mode shift and reduction in the usage of private motor vehicles and associated congestion.
And
SM3 Objective 2: To support the development of future cycle infrastructure and improvement projects outlined in Figure 5.8 and Table 5.2, subject to detailed design, including compliance with TII publications and DMURS as appropriate, and public consultation, which facilitates a mode shift and reduction in the usage of private motor vehicles and associated congestion.
Any traffic interventions will undergo detailed assessment to ensure the alterations/improvements do not have undue adverse effects on traffic movements in the village. The motion, if passed, would be contrary to a mandatory requirement under DMURs for road design and as such could not be implemented.
CE Recommendation:
To amend the following objectives in the draft LPF as per the Chief Executive’s Recommendation in the Chief Executive’s Report on the submissions as follows (amendments outlined in bold):
SM2 Obj 2: To support the development of future pedestrian crossing infrastructure and improvement projects outlined in Figure 5.7, subject to a reduction in speed limits and detailed review and design, including compliance with DMURS, to facilitate a mode shift and reduction in the usage of private motor vehicles and associated congestion.
And
SM3 Obj 2: To support the development of future cycle infrastructure and improvement projects outlined in Figure 5.8 and Table 5.2, subject to detailed design, including compliance with TII publications and DMURS as appropriate, and public consultation, which facilitates a mode shift and reduction in the usage of private motor vehicles and associated congestion.
Advisory Note: Initial Screening for SEA for the Motion
This proposal would not provide the most evidence-based framework for development and has the potential to undermine sustainable development and proper planning - with potential for associated unnecessary adverse environmental effects on various environmental components. Taking this into account, SEA would be likely to be advised as being required.
Initial Screening for AA for the Motion
No AA issues; Stage 2 AA not required.