Decision to prioritise public transport in Adamstown over increased housing

MEMBERS of SDCC agreed to accept the Manager’s report in relation to a motion calling for plans related to residential developments to be shelved until DART+ Southwest or an equivalent rail service is operational in Adamstown SDZ West.

The decision to prioritise public transport over increased housing developments echoes the decision made by Councillors in June, when they voted on this same motion and delivered the same decision.

The material alteration put forward at this meeting does not remove the residential zoning but “provides for the appropriate phasing of development in conjunction with the delivery of strategic public transport infrastructure.”

Several Councillors referred to the difficulties that are already arising in relation to overcrowding on public transport in the area, as the population continues to increase as the numerous planned housing developments are completed.

Councillor Alan Edge advised his colleagues to take a “common sense approach” in relation to this motion and to listen to the Chief Planner, Hazel Craigie’s advice.

“I think that the restraint that this would put on any future development is such that it would effectively rule it out.

“I think we need to listen really carefully to what Hazel is saying.

‘We need to look at the impact that the SLO, as drafted with the operational requirement, would have, and I think we need to apply a common-sense approach and accept the manager’s report.”

The Councillors’ reason for this motion further states that “having regard to the scale of planned development in Adamstown and the importance of sustainable, infrastructure-led growth, the Council considers it appropriate to retain the safeguard previously agreed by the elected members and therefore reaffirms its June 2026 decision.”

Cllr Johansson emphasises the problems that currently exist surrounding public transport in the area due to supply not meeting demand and stated that it will only get worse if more residential developments are introduced.

“I think people who are not from the area don’t understand the difficulties that residents have getting to work in the mornings; you can’t even get on the train as it is at the moment, and there is still housing being built in Adamstown.”

Cllr Johansson expressed her frustration at the lack of action that has been taken by those in government to increase public transport in areas with a growing population.

“There’s going to be more people moving into Clonburris over the next few years before the Dart+ is operational, and if people can’t get on the train right now to get to work in the morning, I don’t understand why we’d be sitting here talking about whether or not we need this or not.

‘We need it; there’s no question about it, and unless we put pressure on the government and the Minister to deliver the infrastructure that we need, it’s not going to get done because they clearly don’t care about our areas.”

The timeline for completion of the new €1 billion Dart project is listed as “2030+”, according to the National Development Plan review, which was published last November.

The project would see an extension of Dart services from Heuston in Dublin city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge, stopping at Adamstown, Clondalkin/Fonthill, Park West and Cherry Orchard.

There are plans to construct two new stations along the route, Heuston West, which is close to Islandbridge, and Kylemore, which would serve Ballyfermot.

In addition to this, the line capacity is set to increase from two tracks to four, between Park West and Cherry Orchard rail stations.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme