4 BLANCH Gazette 27 March 2014
littlepace road: had 20 to 25 potholes
rail Concern over Porterstown plan
Council to improve state of road natalie burke
A Dublin 15 resident has welcomed plans by Fingal County Council to permanently improve the condition of Littlepace Road in Clonee. T he resident, who lives in Pheasant Run in Clonee, said he has raised the issue with the council on numerous occasions but says the road was at its worst in recent weeks. The road had between 20 and 25 potholes in one section, which was forcing cars to drive on the wrong side of the road in order to pass by. T h e c o u n c i l h ave since put a temporary fix in place and say that more permanent surface restoration works on the road have been included in its Pro gramme of Works for 2014. “I’m happy enough that the council will put a more permanent solution in place and hope they follow it through,” the resident said. “I’m also happy a temporary fix has been put in place. A temporary fix was put in place in January but that completely disintegrated because of the bad weather. “It got to the stage that cars passing by
we r e f o r c e d u p o n the side of the road in order to get by. Some of them were also forced to drive on the wrong side of the road because of the condition of the road,” he added. Local Cllr Michael O’Donovan (Lab) said he also hopes the local authority will put a more permanent solution in place. “T he condition of that road is absolutely terrible. The council have carried out remedial work in the past but it’s putting good money after bad. Really they need to do the whole thing otherwise they will keep on having to come back to it. “It’s a busy road and used every day by residents going to and from work so it does need to be looked at.” A spokesperson for the council said that due to the close proximity of a local primary school to the proposed works, and the extent and scale of the works required, works would have to take place outside of school term time. Confirmation of a start date and cost of the project cannot be confirmed before the completion of the tender process and appointment of contractor.
An artists impression of the proposed pedestrian crossing at Porterstown level crossing
Clarification sought on level crossing closures natalie burke news@gazettegroup.com
Calls have been made for the National Transport Authority to clarify its plans for the closure of level crossings in Dublin 15. Cllr John Walsh (Lab) appealed for more information after a number of concerns were raised by local residents about the proposed closure of level crossings in their area.
Speaking about the issue Cllr Walsh said: “It appears that the drive to close the Porterstown Road crossing is only the beginning of a wider programme designed to close all the level crossings in Dublin 15, as indicated by the National Transport Authority. “Both Irish Rail and the Department of Transport should clarify whether the Porterstown plan is effectively the thin end of the
wedge.” Cllr Walsh said key decisions made on issues such as potential local level crossing closures should be discussed with those it would ultimately affect the most. Strongly opposed
“The plan to close Porterstown level crossing will exacerbate problems such as anti-social behaviour and illegal dumping; it is strongly opposed by the local community. Key decisions on vital transport links should have the full input of the local communities most affected by those decisions.” A spokesperson for the NTA said they are still considering the closure of seven level crossing along the Maynooth rail line between Connolly Station and Maynooth. Four of these crossings
are automated – at Blakestown, Barberstown, Porterstown and Coolmine – and controlled from the Central Traffic Control Centre. The remaining three, the Clonsilla, Ashtown and Reilly’s Crossing, are manned wooden gates. The NTA spokesperson said that as well as representing potential safety conflicts, the level crossings are also a source of journey time delay on the rail line. “It is proposed to close all seven level crossings on this line, thereby removing the safety conflicts that arise at these crossing points. Bridges over or under the rail line together with road diversions and road closures will be required to deliver the closure programme. It is proposed that road bridges for vehicular traffic would be provided at
certain locations, with pedestrian bridges provided at other locations,” the spokesperson said. “A road diversion complete with a new bridge over the rail line is currently under construction at one of the crossings Reilly’s Crossing.” The NTA said that all level crossings represent a safety concern with the potential for serious incidents to occur. “Good control systems and monitoring arrangements reduce and manage the level of risk, but it remains a core safety objective to remove level crossings to the maximum extent practicable,” the spokesperson continued. “There are a number of level crossings on the rail system in the Greater Dublin Area that warrant assessment of their potential for closure.”