Information Document on the Pathfinder Project
Many of you know that the council plans to reintroduce pedestrianisation on a permanent basis. They are planning on producing a plan for the redevelopment of Georges St by early 2023, which would be voted on by the 40 County Councilors. Essentially this is the Part 8 planning process. There are now some changes to these plans.
In October/November Dún Laoghaire Rathdown was awarded one of Eamon Ryan’s Pathfinder Projects. This means additional funding to facilitate reducing the town’s carbon emissions, hopefully by reducing traffic volumes.
Stated Objectives are:
- Promote inclusive, sustainable mobility & reduce car dependency
- Improve the neighbourhood
- Enhance economic vibrancy
- Improve connections with public transport/cycling
- Promote health/wellbeing in the community
- Promote Urban Design
Potential changes include modal filters on roads preventing through traffic, cycle lanes, footpath widening, new planting and urban landscaping, to name a few possibilities. Traditional road amendments such as speed bumps and pedestrian crossings.
The council is planning on broadening the scope of the previously planned Part 8 planning submission to include the pathfinder interventions. They are currently modelling the effects of these changes on the surrounding roads. They are looking for residents, individuals and groups to contact then with proposals for potential changes that they would like to see.
The current timeline is for the Part 8 planning process to take place in Summer 2023.
So far most residents associations that have spoken to the council are happy with the potential plans and how they will hopefully enhance the public space and further calm or remove traffic.
Tivoli Road Safe Mobility are encouraged that the council are looking into preventing through traffic on Tivoli Rd to cars with a modal filter, maintaining access to residents, something they have been actively campaigning for. Clarinda Park RA have wanted to reduce through traffic as well and see their park get some needed care and attention. York Rd residents have long asked for traffic calming near the Presbyterian church while residents of Mellifont Ave have had problems with traffic and illegal parking for as long as the market has been going in the park. On Crosthwaite Park an elderly resident was knocked down recently by someone using the park as a rat run, shocking for all across the town. Cross Avenue RA has long been concerned with the volume of delivery vehicles and through traffic on their roads.
The council seem open to all potential options at present to reduce traffic and will be reaching out to all areas across the town and will have people on the ground next year to engage in consultation. It is in everyone’s interest to get involved in this process. dlrcoco.citizenspace.com is where to look for updates.
D.L.C.R.A. 