New mobility hub approved outside Rua Red and the Civic

PLANS for the development of a new mobility hub and public plaza near The Square, Rua Red and The Civic in Tallaght were approved at Monday’s monthly meeting of South Dublin County Council.

The public realm works are to take place at two sites, one abutting the ‘cultural quarter’ outside Rua Red and the Civic, and a section of green space and a road between The Square and the Tallaght Luas stop.

Proposed works include the extension of outdoor seating to the cafes in Rua Red and The Civic to include parasols, tables and chairs and associated works.

The delivery of a new public square, called The Mobility Hub, adjacent to the existing Tallaght Luas stop and the future proposed Bus Connects interchange, along with an improved public space in front of the Rua Red Arts Centre, is included.

The public consultation period for the plans concluded last month, during which a total of two submissions were received.

One submission was lodged by Eugene McElhinney, who requested that more grass areas and vegetation be included in the proposed public square.

In response, the council stated they had “retained the trees and green space to the public square outside Rua Red. A landscaped green terraced area is proposed [for] the Mobility Hub square.”

A submission was also lodged by the Department of Defence, who stated that the operation of cranes should be coordinated with Air Corps Air Traffic Services no later than 28 days before use.

In their second point, they stated: “Due to the proximity to Casement Aerodrome, the developer should implement adequate bird control measures during the construction phase to mitigate the effects of birds on Air Corps flight operations.”

In response, the council agreed to follow the measures that the Air Corps had highlighted.

When the Part 8 development was brought before councillors on Monday, it was widely welcomed by a number of Tallaght councillors and was ultimately approved.