The Local Government Act 2001 (s.135) requires the Council officials to present a 3-year Capital Programme to the Councillors every year, setting out the anticipated capital expenditure.  In 2004 and in 2005, this Programme included a Recreation Centre and all-weather pitch for Baldoyle.  This year, the programme was presented last Monday and the Baldoyle facilitiy had disappeared!
You can watch the meeting at http://www.fingalcoco.public-i.tv/site/ . The discussion is about 40 minutes in, where I ask what has happened to the proposed all-weather facility.

In response, Senan Turnbull, Director of Services, said more or less:  At the time, the Brickfields site was the one in question.  We believed then and believed since then, having looked at it in greater detail that with a brand new secondary school literally across the fence from that having a full blown sports facility, the idea of having two within a hundred metres of each other doesn’t make sense.  And particularly on that site, that site being a site of great difficulty from the point of view of anti-social behaviour, putting a facility there would not necessarily be the best use of it.  In relation to the all-weather we are still in discussion, in consultation with Trackside Tennis Club to see how it is that site which is currently fully occupied by tennis courts can be developed jointly as tennis and all-weather facilities.  We have had some discussions there, we intend to continue those and we would hope that in a few months time if not sooner we could agree an overall strategy for that Trackside facility which would effectively be an upgrade for which they have already got a grant from the Sports Capital Funding from the Government to upgrade half the area as tennis courts and then possibly come to an agreement with them whereby we would invest money in an all-weather within the same campus with them but as of now that is not agreed and we weren’t confident that it would be and therefore we didn’t put the money in.  But again to repeat what the Manager says… But we don’t believe putting a second all-weather facility or a second hall in there makes any sense given that there’s a school hall literally the other side of the fence.

I responded angrily. I should also point out that the school hall was in existence in 2004 and 2005 and that there is no outdoor facility there. 

The capital programme has been deferred to the local area committee, presumably on 20th.  There is another Council meeting on Tuesday 17th

I can supply by emailto anyone intersted the 3 year capital programme discussed yesterday and the previous two years’ versions.  I look forward to feedback from community organisations and residents in Baldoyle.

I am proposing that a light rail link be built serve the planned new
residential areas between Baldoyle and Clonshaugh.  Between them Dublin City Council
and Fingal County Council have zoned land for housing for a population
of approximately 40,000 people.  Part of this is a new Dart Station to
the east of the zoned area, just north of Baldoyle.
{mosimage}

The engineers from the two Councils are now proposing that the
distributor road which will give access to the housing area should also
act as a long-distance access road duplicating the M50 motorway from
Baldoyle to Blanchardstown.  The Council engineers propose that in the
middle of an area zoned for housing two flyover junctions are
constructed.  This proposal would have disastrous implications for the
residents in the area.  The lack of quality public transport for this
high-density development would ensure that all the neighbouring areas
of the Northside would be flooded with traffic.
A multi-modal integrated study should be carried out.  

While roads are being designed, there have been no studies of the public transport facilities for this enormous population.

We are proposing that a multi-modal transportation study be carried out analysing the rail options for this area.  We suggest that the east-west route could be used for a surface metro/light rail.  

The light rail route would go along the proposed new distributor road to join up with the proposed Metro North and Metro West.  It would start from the new Dart Station at Stapolin (Baldoyle), with stops at Hole in the Wall Road, Balgriffin, Belcamp, Clonshaugh and joining the Metro north alignment south of the Airport.  

Trams/metro trains could share the Metro North alignment until Ballymun and then either a) continue on the Metro West route,  with interchage to the Metro North Route, or b) travel south on the Metro North alignment into the city centre, with interchange to the Metro West Route.  This integration with Metro North means it will be possible to build and operate the route together with the Metro North route.  

The link across the M1 motorway should be available only to public transport, bicycles and pedestrians.  The motorway is already available to facilitate trucks and cars.  Facilitating long-distance east-west traffic on this east-west distributor road would ruin the possibilities of creating a decent residential area around it.”

My motion directing that a study be carried out on this light rail link was agreed by the Council in September:
"…That the Council direct the
Manager to seek to carry out a multi-modal transport study in relation
to transport in the North Fringe/South Fringe area (Stapolin,
Donaghmede, Balgriffin, Belcamp, Clonshaugh) with Dublin City Council’s
co-operation, to include consideration of the possibilities for a light
rail link between the Dublin-Belfast railway line at Stapolin and the
Metro in the vicinity of Ballymun/Dublin Airport and other possible
rail links and to include consideration of roads, bus routes, cycling
routes and walking routes in the area."

The Conservation officials in the Council have prepared draft Statements of Character for the Architectural Conservation Areas in Baldoyle, Sutton and Howth.  The purpose of the designation is to protect the character of the area. The draft Statement of Character is a description of the area which is to influence planning decisions and work to the streets themselves, including street furniture whether by the Council or by ESB, Dublin Bus, phone companies etc.
{mosimage}

The draft Statements of Character will be on public display in Baldoyle Library and Howth Library from 27th September to 25th October, as well as being on the Council’s website. The Conservation staff will be available at Baldoyle Library from 4pm to 8pm on 5th October and at Howth Library from 4pm to 8pm on 9th October to discuss the designations with anyone interested.

I don’t know why some things seem to take so long.  Here’s an example (see question below).

Meanwhile if there’s any other benches or other street or park furniture in the area which needs repair, or any locations where a bench is badly needed, I would be grateful to hear from you.  Public benches are an important part of creating a good environment for pedestrians, and of asserting collective ownership of public space.  They tell people that this is everyone’s space, not no-man’s land, and that they are welcome in it.
FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

MALAHIDE/HOWTH AREA COMMITTEE MEETING
(Services A – Transportation, Environment & Water Services)
 
Thursday, 5th October, 2006  

ITEM NO.  15
 
REPAIR TO PARK BENCH – HOWTH ROAD, CORR BRIDGE

Question: Councillor D. Healy

“To ask the Manager to repair the attractive bench made from concrete supports and wooden laths on Howth Road beside Corr Bridge which is in bad repair as first requested at the meeting of this Committee on 30th March 2006?”

Reply:

Arrangements will be made to have the bench repaired as part of the Area Engineer’s Maintenance Programme of Works.

The Transport and Planning Departments appear to be dragging their heels on this. The design as implemented is blocking access to the Scout Hall and to Claremont Beach, and pushing pedestrians out of their route.  In March I raised detailed questions about this and a further report was promised to the committee. That never came so I put down a question last week.  The reply ignores the undertaking to report to the committtee and promises to give me a copy of the decision when it is made.  Unfortunately this kind of failure to follow up on commitments to previous meetings is not unusual. I will now have to put down a motion to the next area committee.

FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

MALAHIDE/HOWTH AREA COMMITTEE MEETING
(Services A – Transportation, Environment & Water Services)
 
Thursday, 5th October, 2006  

ITEM NO.  14
 
PARKING/PEDESTRIAN ACCESS – HOWTH DART STATION

Question: Councillor D. Healy

“To ask the Manager to bring the report on the parking and pedestrian access and safety issues at Howth Dart Station in relation to planning permission F03A/0782/C1 back to this Committee as undertaken on 30th March 2006?”

Reply:

A submission for compliance in relation to this permission has been submitted to the Transportation Department and is currently under consideration.

The issue of pedestrian access will be dealt with as part of the Transportation’s report and a copy of this decision will be furnished to the Member when available.

The minutes of 30th March 2006 read as follows:

MHA/125/06

HOWTH – WORKS ASSOCIATED WITH UPGRADING WORKS AT DART STATION

In the absence of Councillor D. Healy it was proposed by Councillor R. Kelly, seconded by Councillor J. Maher:

"That the Manager report on the design of the roads, car parking
footpaths etc. around the extension to the railway platforms at Howth
and in particular to specify:

(a) whether all the work carried out has been the subject of agreement with the Transportation Department;

(b) whether all relevant compliance conditions relating to the
design of these areas and in particular condition 2 of F03A/0782 have
been met;

(c) whether the Transportation Department’s approval has been sought
or given for the built design which involves car parking blocking
access to the Scouts’ Quarterdeck which will prevent them getting boats
and other equipment out of the building this summer, considering that
in all likelihood the Scouts have a private right of way for their
boats;

(d) whether the Transportation Department’s approval has been sought
or given for the built design which involves cars are now parked
directly outside the Scouts’ Quarterdeck creating a safety hazard for
children leaving the building;

(e) whether the Transportation Department’s approval has been sought
or given for the built design which involves pedestrians leaving
the Dart Station and walking east to find there is no footpath where
there used to be one and that they are walking behind nose-to-kerb
parked cars.

1. what steps can now be taken to remedy the safety and access problems identified."

The following report by the Manager was READ and NOTED:

Planning Permission Reference Number F03A/0782/C1 was granted to
Iarnrod Eireann by An Bord Pleanala for the following development:

Development and upgrading works at Dart Station including platform
extension, provision of new emergency gates, stairs and ramp,
construction of boundary wall, parking and all associated works.

The issues raised in this motion will be taken up with the
Architects for Iarnrod Eireann and a further report on this matter will
be submitted to the Committee.

In addition the traffic situation in this area will be monitored by
the Transportation Department in the context of the preparation of the
Howth Traffic Management Scheme in relation to the provision of further
traffic management measures if considered appropriate

Following concerns from local residents about near-accidents at this location, I have asked the Transportation Department to examine the junction.
FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

Text of question at Area Committee:

MALAHIDE/HOWTH AREA COMMITTEE MEETING
(Services A – Transportation, Environment & Water Services)
 
Thursday, 5th October, 2006  

ITEM NO.  24
 
PROVISION OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS – BURROWFIELD ROAD,
STRAND ROAD AND STATION ROAD

Question: Councillor D. Healy

“To ask the Manager to report on the provision of traffic lights or other method to deal with the lack of adequate sight lines at the junction of Burrowfield Road, Strand Road and Station Road?”

Reply:

Arrangements will be made for an assessment of this junction to be undertaken and a further report will be presented to the Area Committee.

Following a motion of mine on 5th October, a presentation on the Sutton to Sandycove project will be made to the Malahide/Howth Area Committee Meeting on 2nd November.

The Sutton to Sandycove proposal, being promoted by a voluntary organisation is a continuous continuous seafront promenade and cycleway from Sutton to Sandycove.  More information at www.s2s.ie

Following Fingal County Council’s agreement to my motion seeking a study on a light rail link between Baldoyle and Clonshaugh to serve the new housing proposed for the area, I have asked that this be listed for the North Fringe Forum meeting on Tuesday 10th October.  I attach the full agenda for the meeting below.

North Fringe Developments Forum

Meeting No. 10

11.00 am 10th October 2006

Northside Civic Centre
Ref04944/06

1.    Previous Minutes                             11.00
2.    Update on Education:            Stephanie Thomson        11.10
3.    Infrastructure
a.    Presentation on response to retail provision            
Eoghan Madden, Derry O’Leary            11.20
b.    For discussion:                         11.30
“Fingal County Council has resolved “to direct the Manager to seek to carry out a multi-modal transport study in relation to transport in the North Fringe/South Fringe area (Stapolin, Donaghmede, Balgriffin, Belcamp, Clonshaugh) with Dublin City Council’s co-operation, to include consideration of the possibilities for a light rail link between the Dublin-Belfast railway line at Stapolin and the Metro in the vicinity of Ballymun/Dublin Airport and other possible rail links and to include consideration of roads, bus routes, cycling routes and walking routes in the area”        
                
4.    Update on Railway Station        Tom Finn            11.40
5.    Update on Health Services:                        11.50
a.    Primary Health Care        Jim O’Sullivan    
b.    Acute Care            Willie Rattigan
c.    Beaumont Hospital        Ginnie Hanrahan
6.    Planning Update:            P. Hyde/Annmarie Farrelly    12.10
7.    Housing Update:            Tony Flynn            12.25
8.    Fr. Collins Park            Gerry Barry            12.35

9.    AOB

Are you concerned about climate change? Do you think Ireland is doing its fair share to prevent climate chaos in the future? The Government wants to know what you think Ireland should do to reduce our carbon emissions. This is a chance to press for real action. Ireland’s climate pollution has risen by almost twice the amount allowed under the Kyoto Protocol. Now the Government is saying it will develop a new Climate Change Strategy and they have invited the public to make recommendations.

Friends of the Earth have created a facility on their website www.climatepledge.ie to help you have your say in a matter of minutes. You can send a ready-made submission using their suggestions or you can pick and mix from their ideas, edit or discard them, and add your own. Either way, each submission adds to the pressure to take the issue more seriosuly. Have your say at http://www.climatepledge.ie.

The agenda for the next meeting of  Malahide/Howth Area Committee (Services B – Planning,
Property and Economic Development, Housing, Community Recreation and
Amenities, General) in Baldoyle Library at 3.00 p.m. on Thursday 21st September is out.
COMHAIRLE CONTAE FHINE GALL

FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

Phone:  8905000                                         P.O. Box 174,
Fax:      8905809                                         County Hall,
                                     Swords,
                                    Fingal,
                                    Co.Dublin.

                            
                                14th September, 2006

                                
To each Member of the Malahide/Howth
Area Committee:

Dear Councillor
                                
A meeting of the Malahide/Howth Area Committee (Services B – Planning, Property and Economic Development, Housing, Community Recreation and Amenities, General) will be held in the Baldoyle Library and Offices, Baldoyle, Fingal, Dublin 13, at 3.00 p.m. on Thursday 21st September 2006 to consider the following Agenda.

Yours faithfully,

S. Peppard
Meetings Administrator
Corporate Services Division

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A  G  E  N  D  A

1.    Confirmation and Re-affirmation of Minutes

(a)    Minutes of Meeting of Malahide/Howth Area Committee (Services B) held on 15th June, 2006.
  (already circulated)

COMMUNITY RECREATION AND AMENITIES QUESTIONS

2.    Councillor D. O’Brien
"To ask the Manager to have the pathway between Castle Cove ( Seabury) and the Killeen Estate, Malahide resurfaced as it is in a very poor condition in parts?"

3.    Councillor A. Farrell
"To ask the Manager to remove all garden waste material from the eastern green hedge row at Biscayne (bordering with Robswall), Malahide and complete all grass cutting, including edging within the estate?"

4.    Councillor A. Farrell
"To ask the Manager to outline plans to replace the grove of trees/bushes at 16 and 17 Biscayne, Malahide and anywhere else within the estate?"

5.    Councillor R. Kelly
"To ask the Manager of the need for reinstatement of grass and litter bin between jetty at Haven View and past Texas Lane, Malahide?"

6.    Councillor P. Coyle
"To ask the Manager if the trees to the side and rear of Riverside View Cottages, Strand Road, Portmarnock could be examined and cut back, given the adverse impact on the properties and also taking into account the numerous anti-social problems reported at this location with associated dangers to the properties?

7.    Councillor P. Coyle
"To ask the Manager if the tree on the roadside at 9 Wheatfield Grove, Portmarnock, could be pruned in the Winter Programme of Works?"

8.    Councillor P. Coyle
"To ask the Manager if the tree on the roadside at 92-93 Martello Court, Portmarnock, could be pruned in the Winter Programme of Works?"

9.    Councillor P. Coyle
"To ask the Manager if the steps from the pathway at Portmarnock Hotel/Links to the Council’s sleeper walk on the dunes could be improved?"

10.    Councillor D. Healy
"To ask the Manager to outline his proposals for the drawing up of a plan for the renovation of the promenade in Howth?"

11.    Councillor D. Healy
"To ask the Manager to report on the progress in relation to the needs analysis for Baldoyle and the proposals for a playground in Baldoyle and the all-weather facility for Baldoyle as in the 3 year capital programme?"

12.    Councillor D. Healy
"To ask the Manager to arrange for the removal of the base of the mast at Sutton Park?"

13.    Councillor D. Healy
"To ask the Manager to confirm that no plans or proposals exist in relation to pitches in Baldoyle which would compromise the effectiveness of the flood control bund in place north of Admiral Park?"

14.    Councillor D. Healy
"To ask the Manager what is the anticipated timescale for drawing up draft plans for the Millennium Park in Baldoyle and putting those plans on public display?"

GENERAL QUESTIONS

15.    Councillor R. Kelly
    "To ask the Manager would it be possible in individual cases were the new
paypath is not a suitable payment system to still pay by cheque. (pension)?"

PROPERTY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS

16.    Councillor D. Healy
"To ask the Manager to report on progress in identifying potential locations for more allotments in the Malahide / Howth Areas?"

PLANNING QUESTIONS

17.    Councillor R. Kelly
To ask the Manager to report on a developer cutting down a number of trees
(40 mature trees ) at Oak Hall, The Hill Malahide in deliberate breech of
planning permission and what action is planned?"

18.    Councillor D. Healy
"To ask the Manager when and how the Statements of Character for Architectural Conservation Areas in Howth and Malahide electoral areas are to be put on public display?"

19.    Councillor D. Healy
"To ask the Manager to put the Howth SAAO Management Committee minutes on the Council website?"

HOUSING BUSINESS
    
20.    New Works, Acceptance of Tenders etc.
(if any, to be circulated)

21.    Sketch layouts for proposed dwellings in the Housing Construction Programme  – Initiation of procedure pursuant to Part XI, Local Government Planning and Development Act 2000.

22.    Correspondence.
 (if any, to be circulated)

COMMUNITY RECREATION AND AMENITIES BUSINESS

23.    New Works, Acceptance of Tenders etc.
                
                                                                   (if any, to be circulated)

24.    Proposals for the Provision of Playgrounds in Bayside Sutton, and Seapark, Malahide.
                                       (to be circulated)

25.    Proposed Development of a Boardwalk at Caves Marsh, Malahide.

         (report to be circulated)

26.    Applications for Funding.
                                 (if any, to be circulated)

COMMUNITY RECREATION AND AMENITIES MOTIONS

27.    Councillor P. Coyle
"This Committee recommends that a footpath be constructed across the Carrickhill community lands from the entrance at Portmarnock Community School to the Portmarnock Sport and Leisure Centre, this path being particularly needed now to facilitate users of the new playground."

28.    Councillor D. Healy
"That the Council draw up a plan for improving the access from the East Pier to Claremont Beach, improving the promenade on the beach and providing access from the beach to the Claremont level crossing, in order to link and improve the pedestrian routes in the area."
29.    Councillor P. Coyle
"This Committee recommends that the Parks Department examine the entrance to Portmarnock adjacent to Portmarnock Bridge and devise a plan in conjunction with a new Tidy Village committee to enhance the area with some planting and bedding."

30.    Councillor D. Healy
"That the Manager arrange for the removal of the base of the mast at Sutton Park."

GENERAL BUSINESS

31.    New Works, Acceptance of Tenders etc.
      (report if any, to be circulated)

32.    Correspondence.
                                          (if any, to be circulated)

GENERAL MOTIONS

33.    Councillor D. O’Brein
"That this Committee recommends that Dublin Bus provide a Feeder Bus service from Swords via Kinsealy and Waterside to Malahide/ Portmarnock DART Stations thereby further improving the public transport network."

34.    Councillor D. Healy
"That this Committee recommends to the Council that it be adopted as the policy of Fingal County Council to support the inclusion of Howth in the Northside Partnership Area."

PROPERTY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS       

    
35.    New Works, Acceptance of Tenders etc.
 (if any, to be circulated)

36.    Proposed Disposal of Properties.

          (if any to be circulated)
37.    Correspondence.

         (if any, to be circulated)

PLANNING BUSINESS

38.    Application for Planning Permission and Decisions – Files requested by Members.
    
(a)          Files requested by Area Chairperson,
(b)    Files relating to the Malahide and Howth Electoral Areas,

39.    Howth , Sutton and Baldoyle ACA’s Public Consultation
                            
                                     (report ,if any, to be circulated)
40.    Files listed by Manager.
(if any, to be circulated)
                
41.    Correspondence.
(if any, to be circulated)

PLANNING MOTIONS

42.    Councillor R. Kelly
"That the Manager reports on any recorded archaeological sites at caves marsh
with a view that it would not effect both proposed walkway, and any
archaeological site recorded."

43.    Councillor P. Coyle
In relation to the designated ACA for The Rise, Malahide, that the Manager report on :
a)     The process and timescale expected in publishing the character appraisals and area specific policy for this ACA (under Objective HO15 of the County Development Plan);
b)     in the interim what efforts are being made by this Council to protect the character of The Rise, given that some recent developments there appear to be contrary to the objectives of an ACA.
    
44.    Councillor R. Kelly
"That this Committee recommends that a proper archaeological assessment of
Caves Marsh before any work is carried out on the proposed caves marsh
Walkway."

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