Minutes of the Castleknock/Mulhuddart Area Committee (Services A - Transportation, Environment, Parks, Public Libraries and Water Drainage) meeting held on Thursday, 28^th November 2002, which had been circulated, were submitted, approved as a true record and signed.

It was proposed by Councillor M. ODonovan, seconded by Councillor J. Rainey and RESOLVED: -

"That the recommendations contained in the minutes of the meeting of the Castleknock/Mulhuddart Area Committee (Services A - Transportation, Environment, Parks, Public Libraries and Water Drainage) held on Thursday, 28^th November 2002 be ADOPTED and APPROVED."

It was proposed by Councillor M. ODonovan, seconded by Councillor J. Rainey and RESOLVED: -

"That pursuant to Standing Order No. 85, Questions 2 23 be ADOPTED and APPROVED."

Question: Councillor J. Rainey

"Will the Manager report on the provision of a pedestrian crossing at Luttrell Park Grove to ensure the safe crossing of children, elderly people and people with disabilities as a matter of urgency?"

Luttrell Park Grove and the distributor road serving the estate from the Carpenterstown Road has yet to be taken in charge by the County Council. When the roads in this area are taken in charge by the Council, the need for the provision of pedestrian signals will be reviewed.

The built up area speed limit of 30 m.p.h. applies to the area and the enforcement of the law in relation to alleged speeding, careless or dangerous driving is a matter for the Gardaí.

Question: Councillor J. Rainey

"Given the heavy leaf falls in recent weeks and the general poor wet weather we have been experiencing this Autumn, will the Manager carry out a drainage cleaning programme of the gullies in Bramley Estate?"

Arrangements are being made to have gully cleaning carried out in Bramley Estate in the near future.

Question: Councillor J. Rainey

"Will the Manager make provision for either a pedestrian bridge along the inside of the wall from Granard Bridge to Roselawn Road or else widen with the creation of a suitable footpath as the lands in question are not in private ownership, in the interest of pedestrian safety and rail users?"

The location referred to in the question will be included for surveying as soon as resources permit with a view to determining a Scheme of improvements to facilitate pedestrian movements in this area. When this analysis of the area, including an estimate of the cost of proposed works has been prepared, a further report in the matter will be submitted to the Committee.

Question: Councillor J. Rainey

"Will the Manager provide an extended barrier railing on Carpenterstown Road at the school traffic lights between the lights and Bramley Park entrance in the interest of school childrens safety?"

Pedestrian movement in the environs of the pedestrian signals on Carpenterstown Road will be monitored and consideration given to providing additional sections of railing on the approaches to the signals in order to channel pedestrians to the crossing point. It should be noted that a school warden is in attendance at this location at school opening and closing times.

Question: Councillor J. Rainey

"Will the Manager bring forward an update on the feasibility of providing a cycle lane through Laurel Lodge, Carpenterstown Park Avenue and Carpenterstown Road to facilitate children attending Castleknock Community College in the interest of safety and of promoting a safe route to and from the College?"

The County Council in conjunction with the Dublin Transportation Office is piloting two Schemes for the promotion of Safe Routes to Schools. The Schemes are based on the national schools at Donabate and at Malahide, which includes the Community School at Broomfield, Malahide.

When these Schemes have been constructed and brought into operation, their effectiveness will be monitored to enable the Council to give consideration to the submission of further Schemes to the Dublin Transportation Office for evaluation and funding. The areas referred to in the question will be listed for consideration in this context in due course.

Question: Councillor J. Rainey

"Will the Manager provide Slow signs and Children at Play signs on Oaktree Drive as the open space play area for local children is accessed by crossing the road leading to Laurel Court, Castleknock Avenue, Way, Crescent & Laurels?"

Caution Children/Children At Play signage is normally provided by Residents Associations. Should the Residents Association decide to provide signs in the estate, the Council will arrange for the erection of the signs at suitable locations. However, if new poles are required to accommodate the signs, a charge of 63 per pole applies.

Question: Councillor N. Ryan

"To ask the Manager to carry out works on main Castleknock/Beechpark junction to prevent serious pooling problem that has resulted from two extended road works by Fingal County Council waterworks and N.T.L. cabling?"

The area referred to in the question will be examined and an estimate of the cost of carrying out improvements to the surface water drainage network will be prepared. This matter will be listed for further consideration in the preparation of the draft 2003 Transportation Works Programme.

Question: Councillor N. Ryan

"To ask the Manager to widen footpath at Laurel Lodge/Castleknock Road junction (adjacent to house), as it represents a positive danger to users. Traffic exiting from Laurel Lodge including buses come dangerously close to footpath?"

The carrying out of footpath improvements at the location referred to in the question would necessitate land acquisition. The area will be surveyed to determine the land acquisition required and an estimate of the cost of the works prepared. The matter will be listed for further consideration in the drawing up of future Transportation Works Programmes.

Question: Councillor N. Ryan

"To ask the Manager to provide double yellow lines from Supermikes, Clonsilla to end of row of bungalows?"

The provision of double yellow lines at the location referred to in the question will be included for examination and recommendation in conjunction with the Gardaí.

Question: Councillor M. Richardson

"To ask the Manager to have a footpath installed from Hollystown Cross to the garage on Ratoath Road in the interest of safety for pedestrians?"

The proposed junction improvement scheme for Hollystown Cross, tenders for which were invited on 6^th December 2002 includes for the construction of a new footpath along a section of the route referred to in the question. The remainder of the route along the southern side of Ratoath Road to the garage will be examined and an estimate of the cost of constructing a new footpath, provision of surface water surface drainage and public lighting will be prepared. The construction of this section of footpath is subject to the availability of the necessary resources.

The closing date for the receipt of tenders for the Hollystown Cross Junction Improvement Works is Friday 10^th January 2003.

Question: Councillor M. Richardson

"To ask the Manager to have a footpath installed on both sides of Blanchardstown Road South from the roundabout at Clonsilla Road up to Power City in the interest of safety for pedestrians?"

The section of the Blanchardstown Road South referred to in the question will be examined and an estimate of the cost of constructing new footpaths prepared. This matter will be listed for further consideration when the 2003 Draft Transportation Works Programme is being prepared.

Question: Councillor S. Terry

"To ask the Manager to carry out an examination of Castleknock Road, between the junction with Roselawn Road and The Bell, with a view to providing space for two lanes of traffic on the western side?"

The section of the Castleknock Road from its junction with Roselawn Road to Main Street, Blanchardstown will be examined with a view to assessing the feasibility of extending the existing road markings on the western side of the road to cater for 2 lanes of traffic travelling towards the Main Street/ Navan Road junction.

Having regard to the width of the road and the need to cater for right turning traffic from Castleknock Road onto Roselawn Road, the extent of additional markings, which may be provided is likely to be minimal.

Question: Councillor S. Terry

"To ask the Manager to outline the progress made to date in the taking in charge of Larch Grove?"

Larch Grove is included in the Councils list of Estates for taking in charge. Drawings have yet to be prepared and surveys have to be carried out before the statutory procedure can be initiated. It is expected to be in a position to initiate the statutory procedure in 2003.

Question: Councillor S. Terry

"To ask the Manager to report on the provision of the pedestrian footbridge over the N3?"

Arup Consulting Engineers has been engaged by the Transportation Department to advise on the siting of a pedestrian bridge on the N3 adjacent to Auburn Avenue. Having regard to the proposals for the upgrading of the M50, including the Blanchardstown Interchange, the Consultants are assessing the feasibility of constructing a pedestrian overbridge in this area.

The Consultants will make a presentation in the matter to the Committee on completion of their analysis of the project.

Question: Councillor S. Terry

"To ask the Manager to report on the outstanding works in Pheasants Run to facilitate the taking in charge and to initiate this process as soon as possible?"

Pheasants Run is included in the Councils Programme for taking in charge of estates and draft drawings have been prepared. A final list of outstanding works to roads, footpaths, watermains, sewers and surface water drains has yet to be prepared. The Parks Department will be requested to pursue with the Developers the completion of outstanding works relating to the development of open spaces. Every effort will be made to advance the taking in charge of roads and services within the estate early in the new-year.

Question: Councillor N. Ryan

"To ask the Manager that future planting in Castleknock Village be carried out by Fingal Parks Department, to alleviate the financial burden presently being borne by the Local Tidy Towns Committee?"

The Parks Division is not aware of any new planting proposals by the Tidy Towns Committee. Representatives of the Parks Division are available to meet and discuss proposals that the Committee might have.

Question: Councillor N. Ryan

"To ask the Manager to raise the footpath connecting westbound platform to main road at Castleknock train station. In wet conditions this footpath and adjoining grassed area become flooded and impassable?"

The path referred to was constructed by Iarnrod Eireann to provide access to the new rail station at Granard Bridge. The area is being examined with a view to installing soakways to drain the water away. The area will be monitored to establish the effectiveness of the soakways.

Question: Councillor J. Burton

"To ask the Manager to make a statement in respect to dressing rooms in Hartstown Park and if Hartstown United can be facilitated in retaining one dressing room while having repairs carried out on their vandalised dressing room?"

Representatives of the Parks Division met with representatives of Hartstown United on 17^th September 2002 to discuss a number of issues relating to the dressing rooms at Hartstown Park.

Hartstown United have the use of two containers, one of which they own and one of which (Dressing Room No. 5) is owned by the County Council. It was agreed that Dressing Room No. 5 would be vacated by Hartstown United and that they would notify the Parks Division when this was done.

The Parks Division undertook, upon receipt of this notification, to remove the container so that Hartstown United could arrange to replace it with a new container. To date, the club has not advised the Parks Division that they have vacated Dressing Room No. 5.

The Parks Division will contact the club to establish what temporary arrangements can be put in place.

Question: Councillor S. Terry

"To ask the Manager if the evergreen trees in Larch Grove will be cut back during this pruning season?"

The evergreen trees referred to are on private property. The pruning of these trees would be a matter for the owner of the property. The Parks Division will submit a request to the Property & Economic Development Department to have the area in question referenced in an effort to identify the owner of the land.

Question: Councillor S. Terry

"To ask the Manager to arrange for the pruning of the trees which are to the front of Myos pub, Castleknock?"

The trees will be examined and any necessary works will be scheduled for attention during the current pruning season.

Question: Councillor S. Terry

"To ask the Manager to report on the taking in charge of the open space at The Village, Porterstown and if the funding allocated towards the planting of trees was spent in The

Village?"

The vesting order process in relation to the open space at The Village, Porterstown is still ongoing and at this time there is no further information to relay to the Councillor. A further reply will issue to the Councillor as matters progress in this regard.

The securities held in relation to this development were sequestered by the County Council a number of years ago. The amount allocated to the Parks Division for completion of outstanding open space landscaping works was 3,174.34. None of this money has been spent.

Question: Councillor S. Terry

"To ask the Manager to present a report to this Committee regarding the recent flooding in Portersgate which resulted in sewerage flooding into residents gardens, and that remedial measures should be outlined to prevent such an occurrence?"

House Nos. 1 and 3 Portersgate View together with another property 'Church View' were subject to foul sewage flooding in their gardens during the mid-November floods.

The flooding was as a result of main foul sewer surcharge and consequent backing up of householder's manholes and house drainage systems.

The main foul sewer surcharge would have been due to surface water infiltration to the main drainage system between Portersgate and the outfall to the main 1050 mm sewer in Blanchardstown.

Investigations are taking place to try and identify the source of surface water infiltration. In addition, the outcome of the Greater Dublin Drainage Study may identify problem areas.

It was NOTED there was no business under this heading.

It was NOTED there was no business under this heading.

It was NOTED there was no business under this heading.

In the absence of Councillor S. Terry, it was proposed by Councillor N. Ryan, seconded by Councillor M. ODonovan: -

"That this Committee recommends that additional pedestrian phasing should be installed in the traffic lights at the junction of College Road/Castleknock Road to facilitate pedestrian movement."

The following report by the Manager was READ and NOTED: -

"The traffic signals at Castleknock Village will be examined to assess their suitability for incorporation of an additional pedestrian phase at the College Road junction. The matter will be listed for further consideration in the drawing up of the 2003 Traffic Management Works Programme."

In the absence of Councillor S. Terry, it was proposed by Councillor N. Ryan, seconded by Councillor M. ODonovan: -

"That this Committee recommends that the illegal parking of cars in Portersgate should be addressed urgently as the double yellow lines are not a deterrent to motorists and the only action that would be acceptable in the absence of a dedicated car park is the provision of a traffic warden in the area."

The following report by the Manager was READ and NOTED: -

"Following consultation with the Gardaí earlier this year, double yellow lines were provided on both sides of the entrance road to Portersgate Estate for a distance of approximately 50m from its junction with Hansfield Road. It is understood that Gardaí attached to the Traffic Division at Blanchardstown Garda Station regularly visit the area to monitor the situation. Arrangements are being made to have the double yellow lines renewed as soon as this work can be carried out by the Councils Lining Contractor.

To extend the double yellow lines along the western side of the entrance road (Portersgate View) or to provide a continuous white line in front of the houses would result in the householders at Portersgate View being prohibited from parking on the road outside their homes. Two traffic wardens operate in the Blanchardstown and Castleknock Village areas from the Garda Station at Blanchardstown. The Gardaí will be consulted as to the feasibility of extending the area of operation of the wardens to include the area referred to in the Motion.

The provision of carparking to meet the needs of those using the train service from Clonsilla Station is currently the responsibility of Iarnród Eireann. Iarnród Eireann informed the Council by letter dated 10^th April 2002 that: -

"Unfortunately, due to the lack of available and affordable land around the Clonsilla area, it is not possible to provide car-parking facilities for the train station."

The SIAS Groutmij McHugh Consultants Transportation Study of the Blanchardstown area will be published shortly. The Consultants will be invited to make a presentation to the Committee on the report in January 2003."

It was NOTED that there was no business under this heading.

It was NOTED there was no business under this heading.

In the absence of Councillor S. Terry, it was proposed by Councillor N. Ryan, seconded by Councillor M. ODonovan: -

"That this Committee recommends that funding for the planting and maintenance of the flower tubs in Castleknock Village should be included in the Programme of Works 2003."

The following report by the Manager was READ and NOTED: -

"The provision of funding for the planting and maintenance of the flower tubs in Castleknock Village will be considered in the preparation of the Parks Works Programme 2003."

It was NOTED there was no business under this heading.

It was NOTED that there was no business under this heading.

In the absence of Councillor S. Terry, it was proposed by Councillor N. Ryan, seconded by Councillor M. ODonovan: -

"That this Committee recommends that the Manager should outline the measures required to deal adequately with drainage from the former Phoenix Park Racecourse should the proposed development proceed, in light of the recent flooding of the Tolka River and the additional development in Pelletstown."

The following report by the Manager was READ and NOTED: -

"The Water and Drainage Department has engaged in detailed discussions with the developer of the Phoenix Park Racecourse site in order to ensure adequate drainage measures are put in place to deal with any potential surface water flooding. In particular, the developer will be required to construct adequate attenuation measures.

The Planning Department, following the advice of the Water and Drainage Department has requested the developers to provide additional information to the planning application lodged on 7^th October 2002. The additional information requirements are detailed in the attached Appendix.

In addition, the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study is carrying out, as part of its work, a specific study of the Tolka Catchment. The Report on the Tolka Study is expected by mid-2003. Any recommendations of the study will be implemented by Fingal County Council as resources permit".

1. the total amount of surface water storage which can be established on

The Area Chairperson, Councillor M. ODonovan and the Members of the Committee wished the Manager and Staff of the County Council a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. The Manager on his own behalf and on behalf of the Staff of the Council thanked the Members for their good wishes.