Dublin City Council are reviewing the “extent, size, location and depth of roots” of trees along the Gracefield Road to Vernon Avenue Active Travel project to see if improvements can be made along the route.
The project currently includes narrow cycle tracks, shared spaces and crossings for people who walk and cycle, and a convoluted cross-over from a unidirectional cycle path to a two-way cycle track and back again in quick succession.
Cllr Donna Cooney (Green Party) said that she would like to see the second section of the route, which runs down to the Clontarf seafront and includes Vernon Avenue village improvements, to be progressed while the main part of the project is being reviewed.
She said: “If they are reviewing the design to provide a better design, I’m pleased. But, as there was so much consultation on this project and workshops on the Vernon Avenue village area proposals, I would like them to start phase 2 on placemaking for Vernon Avenue as the issues there with motor traffic, deliveries and lack of space for people has been going on for decades.”
She said: “Finally, we have agreement on a concept design for a vibrant, attractive liveable street where people are giving priority.”
As IrishCycle.com reported, another councillor, Cllr Paddy Monahan (Social Democrats), questioned Dublin City Council officials about why “fundamental changes” were made to the draft plan for the cycle path while the apparent evidence, an arborist’s report, was still being drafted.
In a written update to councillors, Gráinne O’Brien, senior engineer with the Dublin City Council Active Travel office, said “[We] have received a number of inquiries on the status of the Gracefield Road to Vernon Avenue Scheme as well as on the approach being taken to address concerns raised regarding the scheme from members of the local community as well as Elected Representatives.”
She said that the Active Travel office wishes to acknowledge the continued support of the North Central Area Committee for the Gracefield Road to Vernon Avenue Active Travel project.
She said: “Design works, including site investigations, are currently ongoing for the project. This includes investigations to better understand the extent, size, location and depth of roots within the grass verges. The results of this investigation will inform the Arborist report which will in turn provide clarity on the potential impact of the various design options on trees, and possible mitigation measures.”
“While these investigations are ongoing, we are also taking the opportunity to further examine the entire Gracefield Road to Vernon Avenue route, taking into consideration the concerns from all key stakeholders including the community and Elected Members,” said O’Brien.
She added: “The Active Travel team plan to meet with Elected Members and residents to discuss the project once the reports, investigations and analysis are finalised. This will however take a number of months to carry out and conclude. We will be in contact once we are in a position to schedule a meeting. We apologise for this delay and ask for your patience in that regard.”
My kids will be driving before this is done, typical delaying in what should be an essential infrastructure for all. So frustrating.
The one part of this project that has been implemented i.e. the traffic lights on Gracefield Road, are causing all sorts of problems for residents and motorists .
The initial design of the cycle track would have made it very difficult for disabled or senior citizens to access St Anne’s Park via the Sybil Hill entrance. Tread carefully City Council.
One would think at times that cars travel around on their own. There are people in carS as well as people walking and cycling.
Often in this city one needs to travel in a car order to be active e.g. walking or playing sports in our parks.
I think the problems are overblown. I’ve crossed that junction on foot, by bike and by car both before and after the change. By car there is little difference. Some slow down for the pedestrian cycle but not a significant source of delay. On foot is worlds better. It’s a wide road so crossing was always intimidating, especially when there were low traffic volumes/higher speeds. By bike, it has improved a little. Turning right is still a bit dicey but if you slot in with the turning traffic it is more managable than before.