| Stop
the rat run
PLANS
by Fingal County Council to overcome traffic concerns
at Laurel Lodge in Castleknock by installing ramps to
deter use of local roads is not a solution, according
to a residents' spokesman.
The
problem for residents at Laurel Lodge is vehicular use
of three auxiliary routes off Laurel Lodge Road, the
main road in the area, to escape congestion.
John Durkin, chairman of Laurel Lodge Preservation Group,
is advising the council to abandon proposals to provide
ramps along the three accessory roads at Castleknock
Rise, Castleknock Grange and Castleknock Vale.
These are being used as short cuts by drivers, according
to Mr Durkin, who argues ramps will not be a sufficient
deterrent to motorists - especially if plans to create
a bus lane at Laurel Lodge Road proceed.
"A
bus lane on the main road will encourage even greater
use of these streets as a short cut and thus greatly
increase the volume of traffic," the council has
been told in a petition signed by 114 local residents.
The Preservation Group argues the only justifiable action
to take is to block off the road at the junction of
Castleknock Rise and Castleknock Downs.
The head of the residents' association, which held a
protest last week to demonstrate anger at the council's
plans, believes gardai in Blanchardstown and local politicians
are in favour of the group's proposal.
Fingal County councillor Ned Ryan (FF) tabled a motion
calling for the abandonment of the plan’s proposal.
"Recently,
a child was knocked down by a vehicle shortcutting through
these streets," Mr Durkin explained in a letter
to lobby Tommie McManus, administrative officer at the
council's transportation department.
"Fortunately
they were not seriously injured, but the incident could
have been much worse. Nearly 1,000 children attend Scoil
Thomais located with in the estate.
"Many
take their lives in their as they cross these streets
going to and from school each day. We cannot allow this
happen to our children."
Mr McManus told The Northside People no decision has
been reached, that the council's and residents' proposals
are still liable to acceptance.
"At
this point in time Fingal County Council has had its
proposals on public display at Blanchardstown Library
and council offices on O'Connell Street," he said.
Residents
of Laurel Lodge in Castleknock claim plans by Fingal
County Council to install ramps as traffic calming
measures are insufficient to tackle the volume of
vehicles using local roads as a bypass
|
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
