Proposed 30kph speed limit across the City - *** Public consultation and survey closes 13 August ***

Dublin City Council is proposing to reduce the default speed limit from 50KPH to 30KPH in most of the city area and wish to engage through public consultation with members of the public. 

The 30KPH default speed limit already applies on residential roads and under the new proposals the 30KPH speed limit would also extend to Terenure Road East, Terenure Road West, Terenure Road North, Bushy Park Road and Rathfarnham Road. Templeogue Road is not affected (and would remain at 50KPH). 

As Terenure is at the centre of several busy arterial routes, it is particularly affected by traffic, noise, pollution and speed, and is a very hostile environment for pedestrians and cyclists. Reduction of the speed limit in the village area would hugely reduce noise and pollution and improve safety for all pedestrians, cyclists and vulnerable road users. With the advent of Covid-19 and the resultant reduction of public transport capacity, there is also a pressing need to encourage cycling and walking as a safe alternative. 

However this needs to be balanced against a universal 30KPH speed limit applying on virtually all roads from Terenure to the city centre and beyond (under the current proposals).

Further information can be found at Public Consultation on proposed Special Speed Limit Bye-Laws 2020 (COVID19) on the Dublin City Council website. The public are invited to contribute to the public consultation by either completing the online survey or by emailing your comments to speedreview@dublincity.ie. 

The closing date for submission is Thursday, August 13.

Removal of Trees in Bushy Park

The following report was circulated to the TRA by Councillor Deirdre Conroy concerning the proposed removal of trees in Bushy Park:

Report to South East Area on Developments in Bushy Park 

31st July 2020  

 

The widening of the footpath to 3.2m at the Rathdown Avenue park entrance , adjacent to the tennis and sports pavilions, is required to facilitate safe emergency vehicle access into this area of the park to service the Dodder Greenway, currently under construction, and the future tearooms. The widening of the path and the requirement for additional service ducting along the route will impact on the roots of 18 No. Trees, comprising of 13 No. Limes and 5 No. Hawthorns. 

In keeping with good tree and park management practice, Parks & Landscape Services commissioned an independent tree survey and arboricultural assessment of the trees at risk which was undertaken by Arborist Assoc. Ltd. The report confirmed that the trees are of mixed species ranging from young to mature in age profile. Five of the 13 No. lime trees (Tilia sps.) are ’Category C’ meaning that they are assessed to be of relatively lower quality and have a short viable lifespan. The remaining 8 No. limes are medium value trees and are considered to provide viable tree cover in only the short to medium term. All the lime trees were planted approximately twenty years ago and are shown on the attached drawing. A further 5 No. , more recently planted, small hawthorn trees (Crataegus sps.) are also impacted and these because of their age and size will be replanted elsewhere in the park. 

It is considered that the removal of these trees, in this overplanted area will permit the healthy growth of the remaining mature and more sustainable trees, many of which may have originated from the historic Shaw Estate. It is considered that the temporary reduction in the park tree canopy will have a minimal impact on the long term tree scape as we are committed to undertaking replacement planting elsewhere in Bushy Park as part of our annual tree planting programme and thus ensuring that the tree canopy is retained and enhanced into the future.

It is also proposed to reconstruct and upgrade the boundary wall to the park from Rathdown Avenue which is currently deemed to be substandard. This will require the removal of the derelict kiosk and is considered that the works will enhance the overall appearance of the entrance and create a more welcoming arrival space.

These works are programmed to commence mid-August. Access to the tennis and Sportsworld Running Club will be maintained during the works and impacts on pedestrian circulation routes in the park will be kept to a minimum. The proposed future works will be phased to ensure Park visitors can still enjoy other areas of the park, while this small area is improved. 

Michael Noonan 

Senior Executive Parks Officer