Council trying to ‘bulldoze’ through with village plans

REDUCING over half the car parking spaces in Lucan Village and introducing a one way system on Main Street, would “seriously damage businesses” and impact the health of residents attending the village for medical reasons, according to local stakeholders.

Both Main Street Clinic and Lucan Planning Council (LPC), have publicly expressed their opposition at the proposed reduction – from 40 to 16 spaces. Parking is already tough to find for workers and visitors alike in the village.

South Dublin County Council have published proposals for three projects in Lucan Village, Weir promenade, and Domain Park entrance on their website.

The village design forms part of wider tourism plans the local authority has for Lucan, linking new cycle infrastructures, heritage trails, outdoor family activities, and water-based activities on the Liffey

According to Lucan Tourism Product and Proposition plan presented to members at the council meeting in January, car parking is difficult to find and there is a “need to open out the core of the village to provide a sense of arrival” and attract people in to spend money.

The tourism plans generated close to 500 submissions and “95 per cent are positive” according to the council, but this is disputed by Main Street Clinic and the LPC.

“The council are trying to bulldoze through with no consultation, it is quite alarming,” said Joe Byrne, chairman LPC.

“LPC was set up as a watchdog 30 years ago due to corruption, to keep an eye on things. This is one of the biggest changes I’ve seen since I’ve been here.

“They want to see fewer cars and more pedestrians but Lucan is a massive area. People will have to drive down. Their plans for the village green are soulless, but the green is unique and we would like to keep it that way.”

LPC say they have submitted an alternative plan to the council to reduce traffic congestion in the village without the loss of any existing parking spaces.

“Reverse it back to a two way as it was before,” said Joe.

“The proposal includes a two-way system between the village green and Methodist church. It allows ample space for both pedestrians and cyclists. LPC is opposed to a one-way system along the Main Street towards the Weir.”

LPC fear the reduction of parking spaces would “seriously damage businesses” in the village and potential “job losses and closure” of outlets like the post office and bank.

“A council parking survey carried out during the Covid restrictions in May 2021 when businesses were closed said that 54 car parking spaces in the village can be removed without significant impact on current usage. This is a cause of much outrage locally. In fact, finding a space to park has become more difficult since the restrictions were lifted.”

Main Street Clinic have argued that there has been no additional parking spaces allocated in 30 years, despite Lucan’s population growing by 15k to 60k.

Led by Dr David Lombard, the clinic met Mick Mulhern, Director of Planning, South Dublin County Council and local councillors in late 2021, but claim their concerns have been “disregarded by the council”.

The clinic wrote to council CEO Daniel McLoughlin, seeking a meeting but claim this request was declined.

They say access to the clinic will be much more difficult for those with a disabled parking permit as they will now have to cross a busy street and the 13 spaces will not be available for parking until after 11am as they are designated as loading bays up to that time.

“The provision of 10 ‘potential’ parking spaces scattered around the village may never materialise,” said the group.

“This proposal does not serve the health care needs of residents of Lucan. We are in the midst of a health crisis and the pandemic has taken a significant toll for the foreseeable future through delayed hospital outpatient clinics and procedures as well as overcrowded A/E departments and hospital wards.”

Last November, The Echo reported that people in Lucan have been forced to travel outside their area to access GP services.

Information packs on making a submission are available on www.mainstreetclinic.ie as well as from reception.

The clinic and LPC encourage residents to make submissions objecting to the council proposal for Lucan Village before the March 3 deadline.

Submissions can be made in writing to Senior Engineer, SDCC, City Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24, or on SDCC.ie