Category Archives: Walking & Cycling / Siúil & Rothaíocht

Observation on Belcamp SHD application – need for light rail-based development

A very large urban development application has been made on the Belcamp lands, in advance of the Local Area Plan which the zoning provides for. I have made an observation to An Bord Pleanála (version with appendices) focussing on the need to develop around high-quality public transport.

It has been clear to me for over 15 years that the large development area planned between Clonshaugh and Clongriffin, of which this Belcamp application forms part, should be served by an orbital light rail or metro connection to the Dart in the east and the Metro in the west, a link which will also be of wider benefit to the public transport network.

The only additional recent element is that NTA, in its proposals for revising the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy, now recognises that there will be a need for a light rail service on the Malahide Road, so it’s proposing a further link in the network.

Road space reallocation in Howth / Malahide Area

The Operations Dept of the Council is continuing to work on the reallocation of road space and other measures to facilitate safe walking and cycling. We had an online meeting of the Area Cttee. last week and following input from constituents, I presented this list of options which is being considered. I would be grateful for any further feedback or suggestions.

The meeting received this update on the previous list of actions.

The other reports received by the meeting are also interesting – Covid 19 response and 2020 programme of works.

Submission to draft Airport Local Area Plan and Development Plan Variation

I made this submission to the public consultation on the draft Dublin Airport Local Area Plan and on the associated draft Variation to the County Development Plan. It refers back to my previous submission on the draft Local Area Plan and deals in particular with issues of climate change, noise, cycling access and water quality.

School Street proposal for St. Oliver Plunkett’s School, Malahide

Fingal County Council is proposing the pedestrianisation of a section of Grove Road, from Church Road to The Rise, for school drop off and collection times. ( 08.30hrs – 09.15hrs and 13.00hrs – 14.45hrs weekdays, during school term times. ) This would be an 18 month trial to improve safety for schoolchildren arriving at and leaving school

There will be a public information meeting on Tuesday 8th October at 7.30pm in Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links.

Further information in this leaflet and at https://consult.fingal.ie/en/consultation/traffic-scheme-grove-road-and-rise-malahide-co-dublin

Motion on Direct vision Standard and HGV Safety Permit system

Motion I’m submitting to a forthcoming Council meeting:

That in light of the risks to other road users posed by poor visibility from Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV), the Mayor and Chief Executive liaise with the other three local authorities in the Dublin Area with a view to agreeing to introduce a common Direct Vision Standard and HGV Safety Permit system similar to that being introduced in London.

https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/deliveries-in-london/delivering-safely/direct-vision-in-heavy-goods-vehicles

 

Kinsealy greenways added to Local Area Plan

At the monthly Council meeting on Monday 13th May, I succeeded in having greenway links from Kinsealy a) to Portmarnock, b) to Kettle’s Lane and c) to Balgriffin/Belmayne included in the Kinsealy Local Area Plan.

Importantly, my motion on phasing resulted in a decision that the greenway from Kinsealy to Old Portmarnock/R124  (which will give access to Portmarnock railway station) be included with a timeframe of including it in the 2020 Capital Programme and submitting the planning application for it in 2021. Continue reading

Response to public consultation on Kinsealy Local Area Plan

The following is my response to the public consultation on the Kinsealy Local Area Plan:
Although much of the land at Kinsealy should not have been zoned for residential development, I welcome the opportunity to respond to the draft Local Area Plan.
My primary concern is in relation to providing for active travel modes within the LAP and to adjoining areas. The pre-draft consultation highlighted the importance of providing quality walking and cycling links from Kinsealy to neighbouring areas, in particular to Portmarnock railway station. The draft LAP shows a lot of positive intention in this regard but is very confusing when it comes to understanding exactly what is planned. At this stage in the process there should be clear proposals to respond to.