Stoneybatter Matters – February 2024

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL WEED REMOVAL PROGRAMME 2024

I have long argued that the Council needs to undertake three separate sprays every year and for the first to take place early in the year. I am pleased to report that the Public Domain Section this year has arranged for three weed sprays to take place. The first will occur this week and across the first week of March. The second is scheduled for June and the third in September. In all, 76Km of local paths will be sprayed with Right Way Spray (vinegar) being applied by operatives on quad bikes using knap sack sprayers.

LOCAL ROADS SAFETY AUDIT

I requested that Dublin City Council undertake a full road safety audit of Manor Street, Prussia Street, Stoneybatter, North Brunswick Street and Arbour Hill following December’s tragic accident. In particular, I requested Roads Traffic Engineer consider the following measures, especially given the number of schools in the area and with the amount of redevelopment and building work taking place, including:

• Installation of traffic lights or a pedestrian crossing, at the junction between Manor Street, Arbour Hill and North Brunswick Street.
• Additional signage indicating the presence of a school zone and pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of Stanhope Street Convent.
• Implementation of speed reduction measures such as speed bumps or flashing lights to encourage drivers to slow down along Manor Street.
• Ensuring that local consultation takes place on preparation and consideration of temporary traffic management plans as construction projects.

As soon as I have audit report from the Council, I will share it locally. If you have any further suggestions or ideas with regards to road safety improvements locally, please get in touch with me by email at RayMcAdam@gmail.com.

GREENING STONEYBATTER – Keeping you informed!

Much progress is being made in delivering various projects as part of the strategy.

The Works currently underway, include:

• Arbour Hill Rain Garden – construction has now been completed.
• Ben Edair Road – A Contractor has been selected to complete the tree-planting scheme for the street. I expect the contractor to be on-site by mid-March.
• Montpelier Hill Tree Planting & Drainage Upgrade  – A design review is ongoing with a revised tender to select a contractor is expected by the middle of this year.
• Cowper Street Green Zone –
• Ivar Street – The tree planting and junction realignment project are undergoing feasibility assessment. Once a new layout is finalised, the Parks Department will tender for a contractor with works expected to be carried out before the years’ end.

Projects currently at consultation stage:

Dublin City Council and the Paul Hogarth Company held a consultation session in the Scout Den detailing proposals for greening interventions along Ross Street, Halliday Road, Oxmantown Road, Moira Road, Manor Place, Mount Temple Road, St. Joseph’s Road, Kirwan Street and Kirwan Street Cottages. While Finn Street was advertised on the Council circular, no specific proposals were presented and householders who attended welcomed that. All in all, there was a good attendance from the streets involved and across Stoneybatter. I took images of what is being suggested for these streets and can share them with you. Please email me at RayMcAdam@gmail.com for a copy of the drawings. The consultative session highlighted some issues that will require further clarity being provided and engagement undertaken. If you have any questions or queries about the Greening Stoneybatter plan, please get in touch with me.

HANLON’S CORNER ROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

You might remember that across 2022, I informed you of the City Council’s intent to implement interim measures to improve walking and cycling facilities at Hanlon’s Corner. These works represent an attempt to implement improvements ahead of likely extensive changes at the junction as part of the Blanchardstown Core Bus Corridor project as part of Bus Connects. At my request, the Council held an informal consultation evening January twelve months ago. 109 responses were received during that consultation. 69% of which responded positively, 18% opposed the interventions and 13% adopting a neutral view. This process identified a number of key issues including:

• The need for better junction design
• Improvements to the road surface
• Better protection for cyclists
• Enhanced pedestrian environment.

Disappointedly, it has taken almost twelve months for the Council to begin a review of the preliminary design that was the subject of this consultation last year. Once that review is complete, detailed drawings and a tender for a works contract will be issued by Dublin City Council in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. Frustratingly, I still do not have an indicative timeframe for the completion of these works. Please be assured as YOUR local Councillor, I will continue to work to improve safety levels for all road users. Details of the original scheme, the changes advanced in May 2022 and the consultation scheme are all available online at www.RayMcAdam.com.

STONEYBATTER PERMIT PARKING REQUESTS

The extension of the Pay & Display and Permit Parking scheme along Viking Road has been approved, following a vote of households and the Dublin Central Area Committee formally noting the result of the ballot. Statutory engagement with the Gardai and other emergency services, in line with the City Council’s Parking Control Bye Laws is ongoing but the extended hours of operation should be in place within the next month. The Transportation Advisory Group is also considering a request from Kirwan Street householders for the extension of the hours of operation for Permit Parking and Pay & Display. The next step will be a formal ballot of Kirwan Street householders and I will work to keep you updated of developments in this regard.

DECISIONS ARE MADE BY THOSE WHO SHOW UP!

Finally, with elections later this year, I am working to ensure local residents are registered to vote so that they can fully exercise their democratic right in those elections and vote for candidates active on the ground. You can register to vote here – https://www.electoralcommission.ie/referendums/check-the-register/. Remember, decisions are made by those who turn up. Make sure you are registered to vote and have the opportunity to have your say on who represents Stoneybatter on Dublin City Council over the next five years.