Estate used as rat-run by drivers is putting children at risk say parents

Estate used as rat-run by drivers is putting children at risk say parents

By Mary Dennehy

MORE than five years ago a number of Tallaght residents raised safety concerns with South Dublin County Council concerning their street.

In 2010, desperate residents living in Russell Place, created a wheelie-bin barricade to stop speeding cars from using their estate, and to highlight the issue with the council, local representatives and motorists.

Russell Place 2 resized
SUPPORT: Cllr Cathal King gave his support to the residents of Russell Place in
2010 who are objecting to their estate being used as a "rat run"

However, this week, the same residents have been back in touch with The Echo concerning the continued use of their estate as a rat-run by drivers who are putting the lives of children at risk – as motorists cut through their estate to dodge the traffic lights on Fortunestown Way.

Residents in Russell Place, Russell Square, have also been left with flood water on their street for the past four weeks, despite numerous calls to South Dublin County Council.

Russell Place flood resized

Russell Place resident Cheryl McQuillan told The Echo: “I rang South Dublin County Council because the drain is blocked and I asked them to come out and sort it as it’s a public road.

“They rang me back and said that they don’t look after my estate and that I should get together with the community and clean the drains myself.

“This isn’t the only problem, we have cars cutting through our road to avoid the traffic lights.

“In my opinion there shouldn’t be two entrances into a small estate and alongside issues with speeding cars we also have a huge problem with young people walking through.

“Myself and a neighbour have had our windows smashed by a gang of 12-year-olds just passing for a laugh, and two of us had our wheelie bins set alight causing €7,000 worth of damage to homes.

“If one of these entrances was closed we wouldn’t have people or cars cutting through.

“We’re all fed up of this and need something done.”

Residents believe that due to issues with the development of the estate, the council has yet to take charge of it.

When contacted by The Echo, the council couldn’t comment directly on whether it was responsible for the estate or had taken it in charge.

However, a spokeswoman said: “Russell Square is a mixed development of affordable, social, private and voluntary houses and it was built under a joint venture agreement.

“Concerning the rat run, the council will bring this matter to the attention of the Transport Management Committee and have the matter investigated and a report prepared.

“The council is also arranging for a drainage inspector to examine the issue [of flooding] and we will rectify the matter.”

 

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