Council recommends no public toilet be provided in village

SOUTH Dublin County Council has recommended that a public toilet is not provided in Clondalkin Village due to the fact that the three chosen support the Local Planning Framework as adopted by the Council in March.

In February, a report on the provision of a public toilet in Clondalkin Village was presented and Councillors were invited to indicate their preferred location for the proposed facility.

Three locations – Tower Road, opposite the Tuthills car park exit, Clondalkin Main Street, in the vicinity of Tower Credit Union and Pope Lane were chosen by Elected Members.

Upon further review, SDCC identified several challenges that the Council may face upon the establishment of the facility, including costs of approximately €30,000 – €40,000 per annum for its upkeep.

The Manager’s report also referred to issues that the facility may attract, such as anti-social behaviour, as its “proximity to existing building facilities” could create an area of anti-social behaviour.

The size of the facility, measuring approximately two metres by three metres, would also obstruct the Village’s sight lines and accessibility, and would block pedestrian routes and impact traffic signals in certain locations.

Pope’s Lane is deemed a “major thoroughfare within the Village”, and further plans are in place for this location following the implementation of the Village Enhancement Scheme.

The Manager told Councillors that “the presence of a toilet facility significantly reduces the effective footpath width” and small shelter space that the facility would create, could “support anti-social activities or littering.”

There are also “significant utility services” running along Pope Lane, including “an Irish Water distribution main, air, fibre services, ESB, and a low- and medium-pressure distribution gas pipe”, which would cause difficulties regarding the building and construction of such a facility.

The Tower Road location has a high impact on the aesthetics of the village and is not in keeping with the Architectural Conservation Area.

Several issues have been identified at this location, including the obstruction of sightlines for pedestrians, cyclists, and traffic signals, while also conflicting with the use of the path by children going to school.

The Main Street location is also deemed unsuitable due to compromising the existing public realm enhancement in this area, and the obstruction caused to cyclists, pedestrians and traffic signals.

Councillor Eoin Ó Broin suggested that the Council wait until the Local Planning Framework is implemented in Clondalkin before revisiting the provision of a public toilet.

Councillors agreed to accept the Manager’s Report and the recommendation against the installation of the facility.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme