#PhoenixPark Transport and Mobility Options Study Post-Consultation Report launched this morning

The Office of Public Works Minister, Patrick O’Donovan T.D., this morning, published the report arising from the public consultation on the Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study.

Almost 2,300 submissions were made during the course of the consultation, from residents living in the vicinity of the Phoenix Park, regular park users to stakeholders like Dublin Zoo, Residents’ Associations and statutory agencies. In launching the Report this morning, Minister O’Donovan stated that he and the Office of Public Works have listened to the feedback and he is determined to implement the revised recommendations in the Report which will help safeguard all users of the Park for generations to come.

The key learning from me in reviewing the Report this morning is the need for the Office of Public Works to work with organisations like Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and other agencies in co-ordinated way in order to best manage the consequences of amending traffic management within the Phoenix Park. While, personally, I would like to see an even more ambitious approach being taken, it is right and proper that the OPW work in partnership with local authorities and bring communities living in the vicinity of the Park with them as changes and alternative arrangements are put in place.

The changes that will now proceed, arising from the publication of this morning’s Report include:

• The walking and cycling changes proposed will be implemented (Q42021), as well as 30kph speed limit. As per our submission, the OPW will have to work with Gardai to enforce the 30kph.
• There will be no return to parking on Chesterfield Ave. A Parking Review due to the loss of parking on Chesterfield Ave will take place in Q42021. More parking will be made available on North Road.
• North Road will be piloted as one-way from Cabra Gate to Garda HQ, west to east, from Q42021.
• A cul de sac will be introduced on the Upper Glen Road on a pilot basis, from Q42021.
• Cabra Gate will become a bus-only gate.
• The proposed bus route pilot will go ahead, connecting Phoenix Park to Heuston and Broombridge Stations, from Q12022, depending on funding.
• All pilots are for 9months and will be reviewed thereafter as to whether to make them permanent or not.
• A review of the Study will take place in 5 years.

It is worth noting that access to Ashtown Gate will continue to operate two-way, as opposed to the entry-only system suggested in the original study. I welcome the fact that further studies will be undertaken on both the Ashtown and Knockmaroon Gates and these will be completed in Phase Three (3-7 years) once data collection and traffic modelling has been completed. This will be a collaboration between Fingal County Council, Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority.

If you have any specific questions or queries arising from the details outlined above, or you would like to receive a copy of the Report, please get in touch with me by email at RayMcAdam@gmail.com.