Demands for pedestrian crossing vetoed by council
By Brendan Grehan
SOUTH DUBLIN County Council has come under fire from a councillor for its refusal to place a pedestrian crossing outside the Clondalkin Equine Club, reports Brendan Grehan.
Councillor Mark Ward has put down two questions at the Clondalkin Area Committee calling for a pedestrian crossing at the Fonthill Road and both times SDCC has said the location is not suitable for a pedestrian crossing.
Councillor Mark Ward asked council to reconsider their refusal
Cllr Ward told The Echo: “The Clondalkin Equine Club is a wonderful addition to North Clondalkin and really brings a bit of light and colour to our area. The club is used by young people of the area on a daily basis, so they can care for their horses that are stabled there.
"They learn proper and correct horse-ownership skills.”
Right beside the Equine Club is the Clondalkin Addiction Support Programme which supports people and their families throughout their journeys through addiction.
Cllr Ward said both organisations have been calling for a pedestrian crossing on the Fonthill Road.
Cllr Ward said: “I have had numerous motions calling for the Council to provide pedestrian lights. The response I got was that when the Council carried out a study they found in their opinion that there was not enough pedestrian traffic to warrant a crossing.
“Both these services have heavy footfall at different times during the day and would not necessarily have a constant flow of people, but this should not exclude them from getting a crossing.”
Cllr Ward says he has also called for the Council to provide a zebra crossing but was informed that the Fonthill Road was too wide.
He added: “There is also an entrance to Ballyowen Park at this location that members of the public and local football clubs use on a regular basis. This crossing would benefit the whole community.
“The Fonthill Road is an extremely busy road and I am asking the Council to reconsider their refusal on health and safety grounds.”
The Echo contacted South Dublin County Council for a comment but they did not respond before we went to press.
