Walking and cycle scheme; 121 submissions made
A TOTAL of 121 submissions, representing over 4,500 people, were made during the public consultation phase of the plans for a walking and cycling scheme in Templeogue.
The scheme will cover 4.3kms, running from the Spawell Link Road and through Wellington Road up to Whitehall Road.
Local schools are also incorporated into the scheme, including Bishop Shanahan National School, Bishop Galvin National School, and Riverview Educate Together National School.
Upgrade works on two junctions, namely Orwell and Templeville, will be carried out as part of the plans, while there are proposals for landscaping and trees along the route.
According to South Dublin County Council, the project will provide improved cyclist and pedestrian facilities and enhance connectivity among residential estates and “key trip attractors” in the area.
In an environmental context, the council said the scheme will encourage a modal shift to more sustainable modes of transport in Templeogue, such as walking and cycling.
A presentation on the Part 8 public consultation aspect of the scheme was given to councillors at a council meeting on Monday afternoon.
The presentation outlined how 121 submissions had been received, many of which were from local schools that were supportive of the scheme.
Some of the people who made submissions requested changes such as ‘park and stride’ from the Spawell, a bus drop-off zone for Rossmore, and safer crossing points for children.
Local Labour councillor Pamela Kearns said there are concerns about the width of Wellington Lane and the surrounding roads, and how they can effectively facilitate cycle tracks.
“Broadly speaking, we’re supportive of the scheme, but that road is extremely narrow,” Cllr Kearns told The Echo.
“When they put in these new cycle tracks, the road is so narrow that if you stretch your elbow out, you’ll hit a bus.
“When they introduce Bus Connects, cars won’t go through Templeogue village, so they’ll be more likely to go down Wellington Lane and Whitehall Road.
“There could potentially be a substantial increase in traffic there, and there’ll be two cycle lanes on either side.”
The official name for the scheme is the Wellington Lane Walking and Cycling Scheme, however Cllr Kearns said that she, alongside local Fianna Fáil councillor Yvonne Collins, took issue with this.
Specifically, they stated that the name created an ambiguity that meant some residents around Whitehall Road and Rossmore were unaware that the scheme would affect them.
Reflecting on the overall aim of the scheme, Cllr Kearns said: “I think the overall feeling in the area is that people are nervous about it.
“Because of our climate change commitments, we have to change the way we operate [in terms of car usage], but until we get a comprehensive public transport service it’s not going to convince people.”
Subject to the Part 8 decision and the approval of funding from the National Transport Authority, there are plans to progress the detailed design stage of the scheme.
This will be followed on with the aim of having a contractor ready to start on site in the last quarter of 2023.
