Trial for a new one-way traffic system on main street in village
A TRIAL for a one-way traffic system along Main Street in Lucan Village, between Village Green and the River Liffey Bridge, is being considered by South Dublin County Council.
According to the council, the purpose of this trial is to “assess the potential to provide improved public spaces for the benefit of pedestrians and businesses along this section of Main Street”.
The trial will be rolled out at some stage during 2022.
A spokesperson for the council said: “The intention is to minimise the loss of any car parking spaces, but it may involve the re-arrangement of traffic movement. When a draft design is ready next year, the council will discuss this with councillors, local businesses and stakeholders. Following this, if a suitable design can be prepared it would be trialed for a period of time to assess its success or not.”
Parking is a big issue in Lucan Village, which like most villages in Dublin, is often a bottle neck.
Many local businesses and residents fear the impact of the loss of parking spaces, which are currently at a premium.
Lucan representatives have been assuring residents that no decisions have been made yet.
Cllr Paul Gogarty (Ind) said: “Rumours spread online and through flyers that there is a plan to get rid of parking altogether in the Lucan Village green area” but this is “not true”.
“There is consultation coming for a plan to slow traffic around the village/green and make it a more user-friendly area. The council proposes reducing some parking spaces, but the final proposal is not complete. Myself and other local councillors have stressed the need to maintain sufficient spaces close to shops and banks and to ensure immediate access to the medical centre/pharmacy as well as create additional spaces nearby.”
TD Emer Higgins (FG) said the “drawback” to the trial would mean “removing half the parking spaces along the shop fronts opposite the green”.
“They will be putting their proposal out for public consultation next year and it will be your local councillors who will decide whether or not to approve them,” said Deputy Higgins.
“I feel that parking and traffic congestion are huge issues in Lucan village and I don’t want any changes to make this worse.”
Cllr Joanna Tuffy (Lab) said councillors are being shown a few possible ideas, and the “objective is to improve the village as a space to spend time in”.
She said this may involve changes to parking but new spaces may also be added and related proposals could lead to improved routes for pedestrians and cyclists.
Separate to this, the council are preparing the commencement of a statutory Part 8 planning application process for three projects around Lucan Village – Village Green and the section of Main Street along the western edge of the green, Weir Side promenade, and Lucan Demesne entrance.
Public consultation on the Part 8 projects is due to commence before the end of this year.
South Dublin County Council say there has been informal engagement with local councillors, businesses and interested groups, as well as a series of on-street and on-line surveys – all used to inform the three planning applications.
