After months of haggling I managed to get the Design for Traffic Calming on the Rochestown Road on the agenda of the Area Roads and will post the minutes of same when they arrive in due course.

In a nutshell the design (which in fact was ready I understand in Dec. 2006) was duly shown to us. The design is from the entrance to the Douglas Court Shopping Centre to Rochestown Rise. It is proposed to have cycling lanes, footpaths, central road markings, dedicated bus lay by, and traffic lights at the top entrance to Maryborough Estate.

Subsequently, the Senior Engineer informed us that currently there are plans to lay the second phase of a watermain from Rochestown Inn to Wainsfort and that this may hold a portion of the work up. They also have to decide how the project is to be funded. The design will be put before Council soon and should be going out for public consultation following that. I have also placed this matter on the April Agenda to keep the pressure up.

In relation to the upgrading of Clarkes Hill (and footpaths etc), I have placed this matter on the Agenda for the March Area Roads Meeting and you can be assured I am vigorously pursuing this matter also. I regret that both these issues have taken so long to progress and find it highly regrettable and incomprehensible that these matters have taken so long to come before us despite numerous representation, debates, e-mails phone calls etc and badly reflects on the local government system.

I trust that this update in informative for you.

Regards Deirdre

Dear Constituent, Hereunder you will find copy of letter sent to the County Engineer in relation to the long awaited Scheme for Rochestown Road. I am putting real pressure on Council for Action. Feel free to post a comment below if you want to register your opinion. I will continue to update …..

Dear Noel, Further to my motion of Monday last in connection with the laying of the Water Main phase two Rochestown Inn to Wainsfort I wish to reiterate that I am very concerned at the long delay in delivering the Traffic Scheme for the Rochestown Road Belgard Downs to Rochestown Rise.

You will no doubt be aware that I have raised this matter continually over the past two to three years. Finally last year I was informed that works could not begin (despite the design having been completed over 18 months earlier) as there was a water main to be installed (Phase two) from the Rochestown Inn to Wainsfort. Despite my raising the issue continually over the previous months I was only informed last year that a scheme had been drawn up for the watermain but the roads officials werent aware of it. I have serious concerns at this situation it seems incredible that in all the times I raised the matter and despite the fact that the design had long been completed no one could inform me that the true situation was that no work would be done pending the phase two installation of the watermain. I have to say that this falls far short of the appropriate standard from council and highly regrettable.

On last Monday I was informed that there was now some doubt about the completion of the Phase two of the Watermain due to the economic downturn and a decision wouldnt be made until the Spring. This again delays work on the Traffic Scheme on the Rochestown Road and such a delay is totally unacceptable to me and to the residents pedestrian and motorists who use the Rochestown Road many times a day. I have asked Engineers to at least proceed with resurfacing works (please examine yourself and you will agree the condition of the road is well below standard. John Forde Area Engineer recently met with Residents of Rochestown Rise and myself to discuss the installation of a median or other traffic calming to ensure the safety of residents and many children to the Bus Stops at the entrance to their estate. John made a sugesstion which was acceptable to the residents but he needed to discuss with John Lapthorne and his officials.

I have again spoken to the Residents and I urge you to proceed with the scheme Belgard Downs to Rochestown Rise forthwith. In fact, I would strongly urge you to design another phase to the scheme from Rochestown Rise to Rochestown Inn. Many houses find it extremely difficult to exit their houses due to the volume and speed of traffic. At the very least a footpath needs to be installed immediately from Rochestown Rise to meet the footpath by the entrance to Maryborough Estate to ensure pedestrian safety.

I am aware that over 1M in developments charges were levied on a Developer in Rochestown and to my knowledge if these monies were not committed (if not spent) the money would be returned. These mones must fund improvements long overdue in the Area. I would like a full breakdown of how the money has been spent and allocated. I am also urging you to immediately carryout upgrading works from Clarkes Hill via Garryduff, Moneygourney to meet Maryborough Hill as footpaths need to be installed here and road widening and in particular the bad ‘blind’ corner between Moneygourney and Maryborough Hill need urgent action before a serious accident occurs.

In short I wish to make the strongest representation to you and your fellow officials for the following:
Footpath installed immediately from Rochestown Rise to Maryborough on the Rochestown Road .
Proceed with the traffic calming and resurfacing on the Rochestown Road (Preferrably from the Fingerpost Roundabout to Rochestown Rise)
Initiate a design for traffic calming from the Rochestown Rise to Rochestown Inn
Commence some immediate road widening and foootpath installation and upgrading of junctions on Clarkes Hill.

I would appreciate an urgent response to this letter.

Many thanks,

Regards,

Deirdre