The traffic calming proposals for Sutton Park/Downs, Alden Road, Sarto Park, Verbena Avenue, Bayside Walk and Bayside Dart Station have been agreed with a number of changes.
I am not a great fan of ramps, as I think that other forms of traffic calming are safer and create a more pleasant environment. An essential principle of creating a safe environment for pedestrians including children is taking away the impression that the road is for cars only. One of the effects of ramps is to reinforce the primacy of cars on residential streets. Changing the design and layout of streets will often create a better environment for all road users. This would include widening footpaths, narrowing the carriageway, making the carriageway less straight, pinch points (designed to ensure safe passage for cyclists) etc. Additionally, I am a strong supporter of the designation of and enforcement of 30 km/hr zones in residential areas.
The most important change I argued for in the proposals was the
inclusion of a raised junction platform at the junction of Bayside Park
and Bayside Walk just outside the Dart Station. This means that the
carriageway surface will be raised to the level of the pavement, to
facilitate pedestrians crossing the road and emphasise their presence.
A similar raised platform will be at the junction of Verbena Avenue and
Sarto Park outside Bayside National School.
The original
proposal had ramps on the "railway road" in Sutton Park. It was
suggested to take these out and I agreed to this mostly because I had
noticed that almost all the cars parked along here are usually parked
on the footpaths. Parking on the footpath not only diminishes the
space for pedestrians, and discourages them, it also widens the
available carriageway and thereby encourages greater speeds on the
road. The first step for traffic calming on this road would be parking
on the carriageway not on the pavement. I would be happy to come back
to traffic calming proposals once the cars are off the footpaths.
Most
of the ramps proposed have heen changed to "speed cushions" which are
easier for cyclists to negotiate, with the exception of a "pedestrian
friendly flat top ramp" just inside the Sutton Park access from Dublin
Road. Most of the other changes made were in direct response to local
submissions.
Three of the submissions received in response
suggested preventing rat-running through the area by blocking motor
traffic at the western edge of Sutton Park (allowing pedestrians and
cyclists through). I’m not sure how much support this would have in
the community, but I can see there are arguments for it. Therefore I
proposed that a plan be drawn up to be put on public display for public
feedback. This was agreed by the Area Committee. However, Joan Maher
proposed that it be overturned at the monthly Council meeting. (which
you can see at http://www.fingalcoco.public-i.tv/site/#pp3915). The
result is that the proposal will not go to public consultation.
Nonetheless I am interested in any feedback in relation to traffic calming and management in the area.