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Local concern over Poppintree dust problem

Thursday, 31 July 2008

LOCAL residents in Ballymun fear that dust from nearby building sites could pose a serious health and safety hazard for children and the elderly.
The plumes of dust created from construction works at Poppintree Park is unbearable, frustrated resident Mary Halpin told Northside People last week.
“My kids play out on the road outside our house and sure they can barely see in front of them sometimes,” she complained.
“The amount of dust coming from the site is ridiculous.
“The dust is on all our cars, windows, walls, everything. It is way beyond anything you would expect.”
The Hollywell resident added: “You wouldn’t want to open your windows, it’s that bad.”
Poppintree Park is currently undergoing phase one of an upgrade designed to make the facility more user friendly for locals. Construction work on the project will be done on a phased basis over the coming years.
When completed, it is expected that the park will include a five-a-side football pitch, basketball courts, tennis courts and playgrounds.
But according to Ms Halpin, the dust is making life unbearable and she called for the road to be watered down several times a day.
“Up to 150 trucks are going up and down the road throughout the day,” she explained.
“They are supposed to water down the road at least eight times a day but I think they are doing it less than that.
“Something else has to be done, I’m blue in the face from complaining.
“I’m very close to blocking the entrance of the site in protest until something is done to address the situation.”
According to local councillor Dessie Ellis (SF), a number of locals have reached the end of their tether with the park works.
“There are a number of different issues in relation to the works and the dust is definitely one thorn in the side of locals,” he explained.
“One resident told me that her husband had to wash his taxi at least four times a week now because of all the dust.
“I imagine the problem isn’t as bad during the wet weather.”
He added: “As far as I know there are big heaped piles of soil about 10 or 20 feet sitting right inside the railing and the dust could be coming from that.”
Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL) confirmed it is aware of the issue and has raised the matter with the contractor.
“The contractor has a number of measures already in place to minimise dust,” it was stated.
“Pallisade fencing with net screens has been erected around the perimeter of the haul road to decrease the amount of dust emitted from the site.
“A regular routine of dampening down dust on the haul road has been put in place, with the addition of a road-sweeper on the Jamestown Road whenever the conditions require this.”

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