UPDATE ON ROCHESTOWN ROAD TRAFFIC CALMING SCHEME

UPDATE ON ROCHESTOWN ROAD TRAFFIC CALMING SCHEME. 

Dear Resident, 

Following my numerous representations to Council Officials and (County Manager) over the past 18 months for action on the above, the Senior Engineer for road design presented draft drawings for a traffic calming scheme for Rochestown Road from the entrance to Douglas Court Shopping Centre to St. Patrick’s Church Roundabout which had been prepared following a survey.  The scheme incorporates the following: 

• Approval needed from Bus Eireann for minor change to a Bus Top
• Safety Audit to be carried out shortly.
• Cycle lane on both sides
• Right turn lanes at all estate entrances
• New footpath on the Southern side to Newenham Drive.
• Work will be done in phases starting at the Douglas end
• Improved pedestrian crossing
• If approved Part 8 planning application put on display in locality for six weeks
• Public will then have 2 weeks to make submissions.
• Useful suggestions  will be incorporated into new draft
• New draft presented to councillors and presented to Full Council for approval

However, Council has been informed in past two weeks not to embark on any new non national road projects until a review by the Government of its existing financial commitments is completed due to the current economic situation, despite approval for 400,000 euros for this scheme being made earlier this year.

Please note also:

• Work from Wainsfort to the Church Roundabout will be further delayed as Council has proposals for the laying of a water main from Rochestown Inn towards Wainsfort which is going to tender. 
• I have urged that a further phase from the Church Roundabout to the R/ Inn needs to go to design immediately particularly in view of long delays in presenting current phase.
• I have forwarded photographs to the officials/ Manager of the current state of sections of the road and strongly urged them to at least overlay these sections in the interim.
• I have also, following complaints, contacted the Gardai and appropriate personnel in relation to traffic turning right (illegally) at entrance to Douglas Court Shopping Centre seeking action on same.

Be assured that I will continue to drive this issue until satisfactorily completed and if I can help with any other matter please do not hesitate to contact me. Kind regards.