Work is underway to modify the pedestrian and cycle access ramp to the M50 crossing in Tallaght. The access ramp, which forms part of the N81 cycle route in the South Dublin County Council area, previously featured sharp bends, narrow widths and steep gradients. The slope currently under construction features extra width but still incorporates 180° hairpin turns. The ramp bridges a height difference of roughly 2.5m between Tymon Lane (on the Tallaght side) and a network of underpasses that lead to the bridge over the M50. Access to the bridge from Tymon Lane is currently only possible via a flight of 15 steps.
The design under construction uses a slightly different alignment to plans previously published by the council. The plans indicated a shared-space walking and cycling ramp with a 4m width and a slope of 1:25, accessed via the same restrictive barrier currently in place. It is unclear whether the ramp under construction will meet the same specification and have the same access arrangement. The images show a new opening in the boundary wall but it is not known whether this will be closed off when the works are finalised as in the original drawing.
The pedestrian and cycle paths within the M50 junction are suffering from a lack of maintenance and also feature no wayfinding signage at present.
Meanwhile, work is also underway on a cycle route mirroring the N81 along local roads leading from the M50 crossing to Tallaght village. Some new signage is already in place.
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