Submission to Meath County Council in reference to Part 8’s of Council Own Development Consents
Specifically - P823005 Dunshaughlin Public Realm Scheme
By: Susan McCabe, Lagore Road, Dunshaughlin, County Meath, A85RR25.
1) 3.2.2. Foothpaths, Civic Space & Cycleway: In addition, segregated cycle facilities will be provided along the R147 from the Dales Junction to Supple Park junction providing a safe means of travel focussed on children moving from the residential areas of the Bungalows and the Dales to the local St. Seachnall’s National School and which can potentially form part of a wider cycle network in future.
My observation in relation to the proposed cycleway is that it is going to cause confusion. The cycleway starts and ends along a small section of Main Street/ R147. Those using it will have to cross backwards and forwards to access the school, the library & other facilities.
With the provision of the cycleway along the Supple Park side of the road, is it envisioned that the trees along this section will be removed? If so, will they be replaced elsewhere in the town so as to retain the planted environment?
My overall observation on the provision of a cycleway on this part of Main Street is that it is not fit for purpose. It will not provide a safe and secure space for cyclists and has the potential to cause an accident. The cycleway does not consider students and teachers attending Dunshaughlin Community College, Gaelscoil na Ríthe or Dunshaughlin Community National School.
It is a higher risk to have this cycleway rather than not have it.
2) 3.2.3 Junctions, Accesses & Parking: The proposal also includes re-siting of the controlled pedestrian crossing at the R147 / Supple Park junction improving pedestrian desire lines and removal of the signalised pedestrian crossing approx. 25m south of the R147 / The Dales Junction.
My observation on this point is – where will these pedestrian crossings be re-sited to?
Will the raised pedestrian crossings indicated on drawings 11514/2030/1/2 be controlled?
Are the only controlled pedestrian crossings at the entrance to The Dales in conjunction with traffic lights as per drawing 11514/2032?
Pedestrian safety along the R147 is paramount in Dunshaughlin. To assume that the introduction of a range of traffic calming measures will control the traffic flow through the town is not enough. What looks good on paper is very different in reality. Pedestrians must be able to control street crossings.
3) 3.2.3 Junctions, Accesses & ParkingThe design proposes to minimally reduce the existing parking provision along the main street with a total reduction of 4 spaces. These are sited at The Sibín (1 No.) and around the R147 / Supple Park junction (2 No.) where businesses have access to rear of property car parking amenities. There is 1 number reduction in on street parking north of the R147 / The Dales junction to facilitate the junction redesign at the Bungalows and provide a new accessible parking space
My observation on this point is to welcome the proposal to minimally reduce the existing provision of parking. However, the provision of two disabled parking spaces on the same side of the street, within metres of each other, is not very user friendly. If the spaces were located on each side of the street, it would allow the driver to decide the most suitable parking location either for themselves or their passenger.
Would it be possible to have the two disabled parking spaces designated as “Age Friendly Parking” to cater for a broader range of users.
4) 3.2.6 Landscaping & LightingLandscaping and Lighting redesign & assessment will be undertaken to ensure that the proposed development will successfully integrate and enhance the urban area and supplement the existing environment without compromising the existing landscape character. Landscaping will aim to significantly improve the character of the area and appeal to the community particularly noting the strong sense of character the village has and strong ethos being provide by local community groups.
My observation on this point is that during a previous upgrade to the lighting along Main Street/ R147 the cables were placed underground. During these renovations it would be most appreciated if the remainder of the cables could be put underground. This would facilitate occasions throughout the year when bunting and festive lighting are erected to celebrate a variety of community events.
As a member of Dunshaughlin Tidy Towns Group the planted environment is very important to the group. Members work tirelessly in maintaining the trees, flowerbeds, street planters, hanging baskets etc throughout the area. If any tree must be removed, the contractor will ensure that it will be replaced with a more manageable species. A similar undertaking must be taken in relation to the street planters. They reduce the impact of the built environment, add much needed colour and enhancement to the streetscape throughout the year.
2.2.3.2 Dunshaughlin Written Statement – County Development Plan 2021-2027 The scheme is compatible with many of Meath County Council’s movement objectives and policies for Dunshaughlin as outlined in the Dunshaughlin Written Statement:
• DNS OBJ 8: To support improvements in the pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in the town that will improve connectivity and permeability and promote more sustainable modes of transport.
My observations to these points is that the scheme will not improve connectivity as the cycleway begins and ends in the middle of the R147. It does not have any potential to link up with existing cycleways at the Willows Estate and Grange Park.
• DNS OBJ 14: To ensure that any development in the town centre contributes positively to and enhances the streetscape of Dunshaughlin.
My observation here is that while the overall scheme is most welcome, all proposals are extending the harsh lines of a built environment, with little consideration of the planted environment.
General observations I would like to make to the overall Public Realm Scheme
There has long been a proposal to develop both an East and West Distributor Road for Dunshaughlin. The East DR was to circle from the Willows Estate to the Ratoath Road and on to the Navan Road north of the town. The West DR was to also begin at the Willows, circle Rath Hill and join the M3 motorway at Junction 6. If these proposals came into being the through traffic in the town would be significantly reduced facilitating a much more welcoming environment for pedestrians and cyclists. Could a survey be undertaken to identify the purpose of those using the R147 through Dunshaughlin. There is concern that a significant majority are passing through, avoiding the Toll Plaza and not bringing any economic value to the town. These proposals have already been identified by the transport engineers. Would it not make more sense to complete these routes now rather than spending money that will eventually be obsolete?
By the advent of 2039, it is anticipated that alternative routes will be completed which will reduce the traffic demand through the centre of the town. These include the completion of the Outer Relief Road connecting the R147 & Lagore Road and the Completion of the Western Distributor Road connecting the R147 to the R125 (M3 Link)”
Consideration be given to a Park & Ride facility to encourage people to use public transport. With no By-Laws in effect in the town, car drivers are using free on-street parking to leave their cars for long periods. This again is a cause of concern as there is no economic value to the businesses in the town.
No consideration is given to the entrance road to Supple Park an estate that has a significant residential area within. This road also has the side entrance to St. Seachnall’s National School.
As a resident of Dunshaughlin for nearly 40 years I am very aware of the disruption to the town when any work is carried out along the R147. It is vitally important that the management of the overall project be on-site daily. This is to ensure that as problems arise, they will be dealt with in a timely and efficient manner.
While the work is being completed “Business as usual” signage on all approach roads to Dunshaughlin. It is not enough to have them positioned in the town.
Could the northern end of the area under consideration “extends along the R147 just north of the R147 / The Bungalows junction to just south of the R147 / Supple Park junction” be extended to the junction with the Ratoath Road/Aldi. The selection of the junction R147/Bungalows appears to be somewhat random? If the project was extended to the Ratoath Road junction it would join up with the work that was done at this junction during the development of both Lidl and Aldi. Including this additional area would complete the street scape and enhance the overall project.
Tuairimí
Submission to Meath County Council in reference to Part 8’s of Council Own Development Consents
Specifically - P823005 Dunshaughlin Public Realm Scheme
By: Susan McCabe, Lagore Road, Dunshaughlin, County Meath, A85RR25.
1) 3.2.2. Foothpaths, Civic Space & Cycleway: In addition, segregated cycle facilities will be provided along the R147 from the Dales Junction to Supple Park junction providing a safe means of travel focussed on children moving from the residential areas of the Bungalows and the Dales to the local St. Seachnall’s National School and which can potentially form part of a wider cycle network in future.
My observation in relation to the proposed cycleway is that it is going to cause confusion. The cycleway starts and ends along a small section of Main Street/ R147. Those using it will have to cross backwards and forwards to access the school, the library & other facilities.
With the provision of the cycleway along the Supple Park side of the road, is it envisioned that the trees along this section will be removed? If so, will they be replaced elsewhere in the town so as to retain the planted environment?
My overall observation on the provision of a cycleway on this part of Main Street is that it is not fit for purpose. It will not provide a safe and secure space for cyclists and has the potential to cause an accident. The cycleway does not consider students and teachers attending Dunshaughlin Community College, Gaelscoil na Ríthe or Dunshaughlin Community National School.
It is a higher risk to have this cycleway rather than not have it.
2) 3.2.3 Junctions, Accesses & Parking: The proposal also includes re-siting of the controlled pedestrian crossing at the R147 / Supple Park junction improving pedestrian desire lines and removal of the signalised pedestrian crossing approx. 25m south of the R147 / The Dales Junction.
My observation on this point is – where will these pedestrian crossings be re-sited to?
Will the raised pedestrian crossings indicated on drawings 11514/2030/1/2 be controlled?
Are the only controlled pedestrian crossings at the entrance to The Dales in conjunction with traffic lights as per drawing 11514/2032?
Pedestrian safety along the R147 is paramount in Dunshaughlin. To assume that the introduction of a range of traffic calming measures will control the traffic flow through the town is not enough. What looks good on paper is very different in reality. Pedestrians must be able to control street crossings.
3) 3.2.3 Junctions, Accesses & Parking The design proposes to minimally reduce the existing parking provision along the main street with a total reduction of 4 spaces. These are sited at The Sibín (1 No.) and around the R147 / Supple Park junction (2 No.) where businesses have access to rear of property car parking amenities. There is 1 number reduction in on street parking north of the R147 / The Dales junction to facilitate the junction redesign at the Bungalows and provide a new accessible parking space
My observation on this point is to welcome the proposal to minimally reduce the existing provision of parking. However, the provision of two disabled parking spaces on the same side of the street, within metres of each other, is not very user friendly. If the spaces were located on each side of the street, it would allow the driver to decide the most suitable parking location either for themselves or their passenger.
Would it be possible to have the two disabled parking spaces designated as “Age Friendly Parking” to cater for a broader range of users.
4) 3.2.6 Landscaping & Lighting Landscaping and Lighting redesign & assessment will be undertaken to ensure that the proposed development will successfully integrate and enhance the urban area and supplement the existing environment without compromising the existing landscape character. Landscaping will aim to significantly improve the character of the area and appeal to the community particularly noting the strong sense of character the village has and strong ethos being provide by local community groups.
My observation on this point is that during a previous upgrade to the lighting along Main Street/ R147 the cables were placed underground. During these renovations it would be most appreciated if the remainder of the cables could be put underground. This would facilitate occasions throughout the year when bunting and festive lighting are erected to celebrate a variety of community events.
As a member of Dunshaughlin Tidy Towns Group the planted environment is very important to the group. Members work tirelessly in maintaining the trees, flowerbeds, street planters, hanging baskets etc throughout the area. If any tree must be removed, the contractor will ensure that it will be replaced with a more manageable species. A similar undertaking must be taken in relation to the street planters. They reduce the impact of the built environment, add much needed colour and enhancement to the streetscape throughout the year.
2.2.3.2 Dunshaughlin Written Statement – County Development Plan 2021-2027 The scheme is compatible with many of Meath County Council’s movement objectives and policies for Dunshaughlin as outlined in the Dunshaughlin Written Statement:
• DNS OBJ 8: To support improvements in the pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in the town that will improve connectivity and permeability and promote more sustainable modes of transport.
My observations to these points is that the scheme will not improve connectivity as the cycleway begins and ends in the middle of the R147. It does not have any potential to link up with existing cycleways at the Willows Estate and Grange Park.
• DNS OBJ 14: To ensure that any development in the town centre contributes positively to and enhances the streetscape of Dunshaughlin.
My observation here is that while the overall scheme is most welcome, all proposals are extending the harsh lines of a built environment, with little consideration of the planted environment.
General observations I would like to make to the overall Public Realm Scheme
By the advent of 2039, it is anticipated that alternative routes will be completed which will reduce the traffic demand through the centre of the town. These include the completion of the Outer Relief Road connecting the R147 & Lagore Road and the Completion of the Western Distributor Road connecting the R147 to the R125 (M3 Link)”