Palmerstown Schools Active Travel

[This version December 5th 2023; update to article posted July 1st, edited on 24th July]

December 5th 2023

Issues surrounding junctions being installed in Palmerstown

Both Cllr Guss O'Connell and I have been contacted by residents in relation to these works at a number of junctions of roads off Woodfarm Avenue (Palmerstown Drive, Manor Park, Culmore Road) and The Oval. In addition there have also been queries raised regarding the revised junction of Turret Road and Wheatfield Road, which was installed as part of traffic calming works approved during the summer.

As with similar works in Lucan, there have been reports of vehicles turning widely and crossing over the line at the junctions, there have been multiple reports of tyre marks on verges and at least one report of tree root damage. When doing a video of the Turret Road/Wheatfield Road junction during school finish time I witnessed major issues from a safety perspective, including a bin lorry overtaking at least eight vehicles to exit left onto Wheatfield Road which itself was congested heading towards the Silver Granite.

These works are not the finished article yet and myself and Guss are monitoring the situation. The Council says that all such works are audited independently on completion so we are waiting for this to be carried first to see if any recommendations will be acted on, before raising further. Otherwise we will just get the standard response that an audit is due.

July 24th 2023

Active Travel School Zone Timeline published

SDCC has confirmed the latest timescale for the Active Travel School Zone at the Oval and surrounds in Palmerstown to access St Brigid's and St Lorcan's national schools.

The project is progressing to tender stage which should be complete within the next 6 – 8 weeks. On completion of tender assessment and necessary procedures construction is anticipated to commence in October/November 2023 at the latest.

The design is as below:

Last year, parents, children, teachers and other residents of Palmerstown were consulted in relation to an "active travel" project aimed at making it safer for students to attend St Brigid's GNS and St Lorcan's BNS from various directions.

Tender documents were finalised in May and sent for independent audit assessment. The tender process is now underway, slightly later than indicated in my earlier post.

Further to queries, the Council has added that "the planned operation of the School Street on Manor Park during school drop off/pick up will be undertaken by a member of the SDCC team. It will not affect the residents on this street to enter/leave or affect entry by an emergency vehicle during operational times".

Some parents have asked why there is no pedestrian crossing on the Culmore side of The Oval. This is because the whole area is designed as a slower traffic zone. If it doesn't work properly I will be highlighting the need for additional measures.

Full details about the project origination and consultation can be found at this link: https://consult.sdublincoco.ie/en/consultation/active-travel-schools-project-st-lorcans-bns-and-st-brigids-gns