Friday, March 28, 2008

"It's a Problem Now, But It's No Longer a Disaster"

Labour’s Cllr Michael O’Donovan claimed that lobbying by councillors and submissions from residents had brought about substantial improvements in the pipeline scheme.

"None of us want to see the Tolka Valley dug up, but if some work has to happen to facilitate new sewage works and stromwater protection, then our job is to make sure the job is done with minimum hassle and maximum reinstatement.

I am happy that a number of motions of my own have been accepted by the Council’s engineers. These include:-

  • That some sections of the river are available at all times to the fishing clubs and individual fishers.

  • That the full reinstatement of the park will be carried out under the supervision of an ecologist.

  • That the orchid meadows will be reinstated in accordance with the recommendations of the ecology report by NATURA consultants.

  • That full cognisance be taken of the Archaeology report already carried out by the Council.

  • That a liaison committee will be set up to ensure that residents are kept informed of progress and can contribute their views.

  • That all appropriate measures are taken, in line with the requirements of the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, to ensure that the river and fish life are not adversely affected by the works.

There was one submission from a local group that I cannot support. That is the proposal to construct part of the pipeline along the Old Navan Road in order to avoid the valley near Castlecurragh. This would have huge consequences for traffic movement, and people going to work would be badly hit by the disruption to bus routes 238, 38, 38A, 220, and 270.



Cllr Michael O’Donovan

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Hansfield/Dunboyne Rail Line

GREEN LIGHT FOR HANSFIELD/DUNBOYNE RAIL LINE, but LOCAL COUNCILLOR WARNS OF "SLIPPAGE" IN TIMESCALE


An Bord Pleanala has signed the rail order for the re-opening of the first phase of the Clonsilla to Navan rail line. This was the first planning approval granted under the new system by which major infrastructural projects are fast-tracked through the system.

Dublin 15 public representatives welcomed the news, but Labour’s Michael O’Donovan called for the actual construction work to be fast-tracked.

"This is good news for Dublin 15 and particularly for residents of the Ongar/Castaheany area, and indeed for future residents of the planned new villages of Hansfield and Barnhill. We need now to keep up the momentum. The timeline for completion of the first 7.5km of track has already slipped from 2009 to 2010.

There are two other initiatives needed to get best use from this rail spur. We need a good feeder bus service from the various surrounding estates to the new Hansfield station and we need the integrated ticket system to be up and running so that commuters can switch from bus to rail and back to bus or Luas at no extra cost.

We also need the promised park and ride facility on the Navan Road to be in place and operational when the trains start running. This park and ride is planned to hold 1,200 cars and could make a real contribution to easing gridlock on the Navan Road".


Cllr Michael O’Donovan

Mulhuddart Bridge

MULHUDDART BRIDGE "MAY RISE AGAIN"


Dublin 15 councillors have agreed to "delist" Mulhuddart Bridge from the list of protected structures. This follows advice from the OPW that the bridge is now unsafe and likely to collapse in a flood situation.

A new bridge is to be built to replace both the old bridge and the pedestrian bridge beside it.

"We deferred a decision on this to allow engineers to come back to us with a new design. This new design features stone cladding and has a cycleway as well as footpaths.

We have also asked for some use to be made of the stone from the old bridge. Our Parks Department will take the bridgestones and I’ll be asking for some artistic feature to be designed for the Tolka Valley".


Cllr Michael O’Donovan