Local group demands changes to Dodder Greenway plan
By Aura McMenamin
Tallaght Community Council (TCC) have requested a number of changes to the Dodder Greenway Plan, saying equal investment is needed throughout the Dodder.
The Dodder Greenway is a proposed 14km trail that will essentially link Dublin City Centre to the Dublin Mountains, with a trail beginning from the hills of Glenasmole at the Bohernabreena Reservoirs and stretching down into Ringsend through various areas.
The project will connect the communities along the Dodder such as Tallaght, Firhouse, Templeogue, Clonskeagh and Ballsbridge.
TCC recommended that 50 changes be made to South Dublin County Council’s plans, who recently secured €750,000 from the government’s Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
The group called for ‘parity of esteem and balanced investment in this scheme for Dodder Valley park: “We want to ensure a clear signal is sent out – that both sides of the Dodder are cherished equally and West to East will have the same standard of ambition and investment applied.”
TCC’s submission called for a greater inclusion of signage and landscaping to celebrate Tallaght heritage.
They said: “The heritage associated with this area is rich – site of Bawnville House, near Harlem Mills and viewing onto the historic bridge and waterfall, not to mention views onto Tallaght Hill, Kippure and the Hell Fire Club. This deserves to be elevated through a landscaped viewing point on the greenway at this section.”
The group was also unhappy with what they saw as unequal treatment between the North and South banks of the Dodder – with the plans not including a viewing opportunity for the Balrothery Weir in Firhouse.
“This plan fails to recognise the value in the viewing opportunity from the higher bank, behind Balrothery weir which could be another huge viewing point and stop-off point.
The existing low-grade scrub should be cleared to allow the City Watercourse be fully viewed and appreciated from the North Bank side of the footbridge.”
The group said a ‘major reality check’ was needed when turning the six pedestrian crossings on Old Bawn Road into Toucan crossings – for pedestrians and cyclists.
TCC said: “ Turning these all into toucan will have a massive negative impact on the flow of traffic. This route is a well-used route to and from hospitals, with decreasing overtaking car lane space.”
The proposed greenway will tie into the Tallaght-Templeogue track. However the TCC stated that more effort was being made on the east of the river – with greenway entrances at Knocklyon, Templeogue and Rathfarnham more elaborate than ones from Bolbrook to Balrothery.
TCC said: “This current entrance is far too modest, low key and lacks the granite stone entrances, park plaques, detailed landscaping and lighting features included in the other connectors and entrances.”
Gerry Stockil, Voluntary Chairmain of TCC said: “The community voice must been seen and heard and obvious in the final plans – otherwise the credibility of community input into local planning and government will be damaged.”
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