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Controversial sculpture causes traffic concerns

Thursday, 11 March 2010

CONCERNS have been raised that a proposal to place a controversial sculpture on a traffic island in the middle of a busy main road in Dun Laoghaire could have significant safety implications for pedestrians. The Gateway sculpture was temporarily removed last year from its original location close to the Pavilion complex by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to make way for road improvement works. Appropriate County manager Owen Keegan told councillors at a Dun Laoghaire area committee meeting recently that its original position between the town’s busy harbour and a retail complex was no longer considered appropriate. The seven metre high sculpture has attracted significant public criticism since it was erected in 2002. The appearance of staining on the metal and the fact that it regularly attracted graffiti did little to improve the perception of the art work among the public. Apart from its appearance, former Green Party councillor Gene Feighery described Mr Keegan's proposal to relocate the sculpture to a traffic island on Crofton Road as “incredible” citing potential safety issues for pedestrians. “The sculpture will obstruct roadusers’ views of pedestrians, who will emerge from behind the sculpture directly onto the road,” she said. “The council's report does not address the issue of either relocating the bus terminus in favour of public safety, nor does it explain how pedestrians are expected to negotiate between bus terminus and stops, traffic and the sculpture in a safe manner. “There is no mention of pedestrian lights or crossing and the major junction with Marine Road is only metres from the proposed installation.” Resurrect Ms Feighery said an original condition attached to the grant of planning permission for the Pavilion retail complex was that it had to accommodate a public art installation. Cllr Mary Mitchell O’Connor (FG) said she was extremely disappointed that the council was proposing to “resurrect this questionable art structure”. “I honestly believe that the council has far more issues to address and that money should not be spent on this project,” she said. “It's ugly, unsuitable and not in keeping with existing architecture and is a focus for graffiti artists,” she added. A spokesman for the council said that as part of the new landscaping works proposed for the railway tracks - known locally as the Metals - and Marine and Crofton Road, a new pedestrian crossing was being developed. This would permit pedestrians to safely cross Crofton Road as they exit the DART station, he argued. “This will significantly improve safety in this area,” he said. “The proposed new location for the Gateway sculpture is carefully integrated with this crossing. “Its location is chosen to formally mark the entrance to the town centre. In relation to the site specific nature of the work, the proposed relocation was developed in consultation with the artist.” He added: “The newly proposed site does not alter the reading of the work because the axis and approach towards the sculpture from Crofton Road remain the same.”