Tag Archives: hartstown & huntstown

Local Issues, Uncategorized

Communities Must be Consulted on Dublin Bus Changes

Dublin Bus have announced a radical overhaul of bus routes across the city to be rolled out in the coming months. Due to significant falls in revenue, Dublin Bus are re-organising their bus network to make it more efficient.

According to Dublin Bus, the following areas will benefit from faster journey times into town: Faster journey times to the City Centre from Ongar, Beechfield, Hazelbury, Latchford, Manorfields, Hartstown, Huntstown, Dunboyne, Littlepace, Corduff and Mulhuddart.

“It’s important that local communities are properly consulted about changes to bus routes to ensure that people aren’t needlessly inconvenienced.

“In general, what people are most concerned about its getting into town as quickly as possible and with the least hassle possible. It’s important that the redesign of the bus network reflects this.

“Dublin 15 is one of the fastest growing population centres in the country. It needs significant and ongoing investment in its public transport network to ensure it remains an attractive place to live in and to invest in. A proper public transport system is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

“There are parts of Dublin 15 which are grossly under-served by transport links at the moment. Places like Tyrellstown and Hollystown need more buses, not less. They need better links with Blanchardstown and with the rail network.

“I would also like to see the roll out of real time bus information so that when people are at a bus stop, they know how long they will have to wait. This happens on the train and on the LUAS – there’s no reason why it can’t happen on all Dublin Bus routes. A small change like this could revolutionise the way people use buses and could significantly boost traffic numbers.

“I would say to anyone who is concerned about losing out through these changes to consult the Dublin Bus website and get in touch with me if they are unhappy in any way. I would also encourage people to attend one of the local information meetings that Dublin Bus have committed to holding in the area.

“I will be meeting with representatives from Dublin Bus in the coming days and I intend to make the case for maintaining and enhancing the bus network in Dublin 15.”

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Local Issues, Transport

Metro West Route Not Best Option for Dublin 15

“The Rail Procurement Agency, responsible for delivering the Metro West and Metro North projects, last week published its latest design update with an ‘emerging preferred route’. While this is said to be the result of a significant public consultation, it would be appear that the best route for Dublin 15 has not been chosen.

“Despite several submissions to the Rail Procurement Agency, including my own, they have chosen to ignore the needs of people living in some of the newer areas of Dublin 15. One viable alternative would have been to shift the route slightly to the West through Littllepace and back down the N3 to the Blanchardstown centre or linking up with Tyrellstown before continuing to the airport.

“Areas like Littlepace, Tyrellstown, Hartstown and Huntstown are grossly under-served by public transport at the moment. People are spending huge chunks of their daily lives commuting as a result. Metro West presents a historic opportunity to bring quality public transport to the door-steps of people in these areas. Unfortunately, this opportunity is not being grasped.

“In Clondalkin, the route has been changed so that a holy well can be preserved. I would have thought that a more fundamental route change to service under-served areas could also be seriously considered.

”It is not clear where the Metro West project lies in the Government’s list of priorities. In a reply to one of my recent parliamentary questions, the Minister for Transport confirmed that no construction activity is proposed for Metro West during 2009, but that an unspecified amount of funding will be allocated to the planning and design phase.

“The Government has not said how much funding has been allocated to the project, how much it will cost or when it is due to be completed. The first test of whether the 2015 deadline is pie-in-the-sky will be if the Railway Order application does indeed go to An Bord Pleanala is 2009 as promised. This has all the hallmarks of a project being put on an ever longer finger.

Note(1): Metro West Design Update, Rail Procurement Agency, 11th November 2008.


(Link to the Follow Document)
Metro West Design Update Nov 1th 2008.

“….crossing the River Liffey and Liffey Valley on a new bridge. The route continues on the northern bank of the Liffey Valley to Porterstown through lands at Castleknock Golf Club and Porterstown Park. The route then runs beside Porterstown Road and onto a new bridge structure at Diswellstown Road where it crosses the Royal Canal and the Maynooth Railway Line. A new stop will also be developed at Porterstown to facilitate interchange between Metro West and Iarnród Éireann Maynooth and Dunboyne services.

From the interchange stop at Porterstown the route continues to a stop at Millennium Park before turning eastwards to serve Blanchardstown Town Centre. It is intended that P&R will be provided as part of a redevelopment of adjacent lands at Blanchardstown. From the Blanchardstown Town Centre the route runs over the N3 to a stop at Tolka Valley, serving Blanchardstown Village and James Connolly Memorial Hospital before continuing northwards to run adjacent to Snugborough Road.

The route then serves the National Aquatic Centre (NAC), before reaching the junction with Ballycoolin Road from where it then turns to run eastward adjacent to the proposed upgraded road, to Ballycoolin stop. This stop will serve the Ballycollin Industrial estate and Blanchardstown Corporate Park.

The route then continues east adjacent to the Ballycoolin Road to a potential future stop at Abbottstown. From Abbottstown the route heads towards the M50 before crossing Cappagh Road to a new Cappagh stop provided to serve the industrial lands to the north of the M50, Cappagh Hospital, and residential lands to the south of the M50.

Note(2): Joan Burton’s recent parliamentary questions re: Metro West

Dáil Question
No: 201

*To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 5 November 2008, the amount of the expenditure allocated in his 2009 Departmental budget, either as capital or current expenditure to Metro West and the DART underground; if he will to provide a detailed breakdown of this budgeted expenditure in terms of preparatory, planning and design, pre-construction, construction and support work with a time-line for the delivery of both of these infrastructure projects; when it is expected that tenders for the construction of both of these infrastructure projects will be sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Joan Burton.

* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 12th November, 2008.

Ref No: 40128/08
Answered by the Minister for Transport
(Noel Dempsey)

REPLY

As I said in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 5 November 2008, provision has been made for expenditure next year on both the DART Underground and Metro West, which will facilitate significant progress
in planning and design. No construction activity is proposed during 2009. The precise allocation for the projects will be determined in the coming weeks taking account of the out-turn of expenditure in 2008 and this remains the position.

However, I can tell the Deputy that the provision will be sufficient to allow work to continue on both projects and that Iarnród Éireann and the RPA plan to be in a position to submit applications for Railway Orders for both projects by the end of 2009. In relation to tenders, I understand that the preparation of the tender documentation will be ongoing during the Railway Order process. However, at this stage it is too early to determine a date when final tenders for construction will be sought.

As I have stated previously, the start and completion dates of Transport 21 projects which have not yet commenced will be determined by the outcome of the statutory processes and the funding allocation available during the current difficult economic climate. The provision of increased capacity will be a key priority in determining public transport investment priorities in the period ahead.

Dáil Question
No: 179_

*To ask the Minister for Transport if he will confirm the Government’s commitment to fund the development of the Metro West project; when construction of this project is due to commence; when construction of this project is due to be completed; when is it due to open; the amount it is expected to cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Joan Burton.

* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 2nd July, 2008.

Ref No: 26287/08 Proof: 121

Answered by the Minister for Transport
Noel Dempsey

REPLY

The Government remains committed to the implementation of the Metro West project, which is contained in the Transport 21 strategy to transform the public transport system in the Greater Dublin Area.

The emerging preferred route for Metro West was announced by the RPA in July 2007 following an extensive consultation process on route options which included the public, residents, property owners, local authorities and other stakeholders.

A further round of consultation is now underway to provide greater definition to the route. The current phase of the consultation process will conclude in the coming weeks and the RPA will then proceed with the preparation of a Railway Order application which will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála in 2009.

I am not in a position to publish the estimated capital cost of the Metro West project in advance of the completion of the public procurement process. The publication of such commercially sensitive information prior to the completion of the competitive procurement process would prejudice the State’s capacity to derive maximum value for money in respect of the project.

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Local Issues, Transport, Uncategorized

Dublin 15 Bus & Rail Services: ‘A little done, A lot more to do’

On the back of recent correspondence and discussions with Iaranród Eireann and Dublin Bus respectively on public transport in the Dublin 15 area, Deputy Joan Burton is happy to report several small, but important, improvements to our bus and rail services.

As of last week, according to Iaranród Eireann, a number of services on the Maynooth line were extended to 8 carriage trains, including the 6.38am and 8.17am services from Maynooth and the 5.34pm Bray-Longford service. They have also committed to extending to 8 carriages the remaining Maynooth-Connolly/Pearse services later in 2008.

Reacting to the news, Deputy Burton said “For quite a while, people have been herded onto rush-hour trains like cattle, sometimes even being left on the platform to wait for the next train. These increases in capacity should go some way towards alleviating the overcrowding on these trains and I look forward to the extension of all trains on the line to eight carriages.”

Dublin Bus also expects to implement several changes over the coming months, having now completed the long-awaited review of their Dublin 15 services. The key changes are:

37 route:
· When roadworks are completed on Blanchardstown Road South bus lane, the terminus will move to Blanchardstown Town Centre.
· New buses with 15-20% extra capacity.
· Service to begin at 5.30am.
· 15 minute service until 6.30am
· then every 10 minutes.

39 route:
· New buses with extra capacity.
· Divided into three services:
A) Serving Clonsilla train station, Hartstown Loop, N3 straight to town.
B) Serving Linnetfields, Beechfield, Hazelbury, Latchford, Ongar Road, N3 straight to town.
C)Starting at Ongar Road./Blanch. Road South junction, Hartstown Loop, Blanchardstown Road South., old route into town through Blanchardstown Village.

70 route:
· All buses will serve Littlepace.
· Improved frequency.

270 route:
· Alternating with No.70 buses, serving Dunboyne, Littlepace, Latchford, Clonsilla Station & Blanchardstown Centre.
· Improved frequency.

Deputy Burton commented “It is good to see an increase in both frequency and capacity on the key bus routes serving the area. We will have to keep these services under review to ensure that everyone can benefit from the changes.

“Taken together, these bus and rail improvements are important and should make the commute less onerous for thousands of residents in Dublin 15, but they are only the tip of the iceberg. We need a fully funded, integrated public transport system which is accessible to all. From talking to people in the area, I think that many people would leave their car at home if they felt they had a viable public transport option. These latest improvements in the bus and rail system are welcome, but they don’t represent the paradigm shift that is needed. It is certainly a case of ‘a little done, a lot more to do’.

“Just this week, the Minister for Transport ruled out buying another 300 buses ‘if they are all parked on Parnell Square’. This is nonsense. It is quite obvious that the Minister is completely out of touch with the needs of a modern public transport system and the urgent need for more buses, particularly serving areas like Dublin 15 where the population has exploded in recent years. Commuters are understandably frustrated when they see empty bus lanes and then hear that the Minister refuses to buy the buses to run in them.

“Internationally, it has been shown that the quickest and most cost effective way to improve public transport is to invest in buses. This is an avenue that needs to be explored before rushing into city congestion charges and the like.

“I will continue to press the Minister for Transport, Iaranród Eireann and Dublin Bus for an improved and integrated bus & rail system for the people of Dublin West.”

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Local Issues, Uncategorized

Joan Wants More Playgrounds For The Children Of Dublin 15

Joan Burton TD has had recent discussions with David O’Connor Fingal County Manager in relation to the expansion and continued up grading of playground facilities in the Dublin 15 area.

Mr. O’ Connor stated that the Council’s Parks Division is preparing a scheme for the upgrading of sports facilities provided at Hartstown Park and that this will be presented to the local councillors for discussions as soon as possible. Local Labour Councillor Michael O’Donovan welcomed this move and said he would welcome any suggestion from local residents to improve facilities in Hartstown Park and that he would present them on behalf of the residents during the discussion process.

Following on the success of the Millennium Park playground and skateboard facility Deputy Burton asked if it is the council’s intention to provide similar facilities in the Littlepace and Ongar area. The manager replied that as the Millennium Park facility is a regional type facility and that rather than provide a second such acility the council intends to provide a number of smaller play grounds within easy walking distance of local residents. It is proposed by the Council that Ongar, Littlepace, Latchford, and Hansfield will each have a number of dedicated smaller playgrounds.

Joan also asked if the Millennium Park playground would receive funding for to continue to up grade the playground and Skateboard park. Mr. O’Connor said that it is proposed to provide funding through Fingal Parks Division in the period 2008/2010 for ongoing improvements which is in line with the Council’s Approved Master Plan. However works are dependant on the final alignment of the Metro West rail project.

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Uncategorized

New Cherryfields Housing Complex for Elderly Gives Support and Independence to Older Residents

“Cherryfields Housing With Care”, a new complex under FOLD Ireland, located at the centre of Hartstown, which is to provide housing and care for older people and those suffering from Dementia has opened it’s doors.

Deputy Burton said “I had an opportunity to have a tour of the building with the staff and must say I was incredibly impressed. The ground floor area is designed in a very attractive way to provide both security and state of the art facilities for people suffering from Dementia”.

The Centre is easily accessible to the Community in Dublin West and because the complex is situated right beside the shopping centre at Cherryfields, the local Church and the local pub it caters for older people who wish to have some support but also a high degree of independence.

All of the rooms have a small kitchen area which is big enough to make tea/coffee and have a sandwich, and have en suite bathroom and toilet facilities. Residents can bring their own beds and some of their own personal furniture and photos and they can also decorate the windows with the window treatment of their choice.

There are three units of accommodation in bungalows to the front of the complex where couples can stay. They can be self sufficient or they can use the services of the rest of the Centre such as meals.

“I was particularly impressed” said Deputy Burton “by the standard of architecture and the brightness of the design particularly the inclusion of a very large stained glass window to the front of the building which is based on an old Irish legend of the Swans and the Cherryfields.”

“Older people may be in turn familiar with a poem “The Stolen Child” by William Butler Yeats about the Hidden Island and the Cherries that begins:

WHERE dips the rocky highland
Of Sleuth Wood in the lake,
There lies a leafy island
Where flapping herons wake
The drowsy water-rats;

Certainly people who went to school at a certain time might even have learnt this poem off by heart.”

“In all of the developments which have taken place in the Dublin 15 area, facilities for older people have lagged seriously behind. Dublin City Council in particular have many extremely attractive schemes which offer step down accommodation for older people who are still mobile and independent but perhaps need that little bit of extra support. It’s great to see such a facility coming to Dublin West and I want to give congratulations to everyone who has been involved.”

Hopefully this is the first of many such facilities especially dedicated to our older people in Dublin 15. Those of us now enjoying the fruits of the Celtic Tiger have to remember that the Celtic Tiger was built up by the work and sacrifice of our parents and grandparents many of whom are now retiring and perhaps becoming slightly more dependent and frail. We need to look after their needs as well as those of the younger generations.

People who are interested either for themselves or for their family can make contact with FOLD Ireland at 8097134 or on their website at www.foldireland.ie.


Uncategorized

FINGAL BOTTOM OF NATIONAL TABLE FOR PLAYGROUNDS

It has been revealed that the Fingal area has only 1 playground per 28,000 residents, placing it second last in the national table of playground facilities.

The figures were released this week in a report by the National Play Resource Centre. Leitrim and Galway led the way with 1 playground per 3,500 residents, while other Dublin districts such as Dublin City Council area have a playground per 6,000 residents.

Finally after 9 years of government promises, the Government and Council recently opened the first major playground for Dublin 15 at Coolmine Millenium Park. Anyone who has visited this playground will know how much it is appreciated by children and their families. But one playground at the Millennium Park, and a number of playlots or small playgrounds at various developments such as Riverwood, is grossly inadequate for the huge number of children in Dublin 15.

Deputy Burton said, “I have been campaigning hard for more playgrounds for families living in the Dublin 15 area, particularly for a new playground to be located in the grounds of Farmleigh, at Lucan Demense, at St. Catherine’s and at a refurbished Hartstown Park where large secure playgrounds could be developed in scenic attractive settings for children and parents.

“Farmleigh has been a huge success as an attraction and every weekend it is crowded with families with children. It’s such a pity that they have no playground to use and the nearest playgrounds are either in the zoo, where they have to pay the entrance fee, or at the North Circular Road end of the Phoenix Park”.

“Dublin 15 is growing faster than any other area in the country, with huge numbers of young families moving into the area. This report illustrates something that residents have been aware of for some time, that there is a desperate need for more playground facilities in Dublin 15.

“The OPW have previously told me that they are actively examining the issue of a playground in the grounds of the Phoenix Park. I will be actively pursuing the Minister to ensure that these plans are progressed as fast as possible.”


Education

FAMILIES IN HARTSTOWN FACE SCHOOL PLACE CRISIS

More than 20 children have been turned away from St Ciaran’s National School in Hartstown, Dublin West, Local TD Joan Burton told the Dail last Thursday. Deputy Burton was speaking in the Dail on an adjournment debate on the overcrowding crisis in the school.

Deputy Burton said: “The situation in St Ciaran’s National School in Hartstown has reached crisis proportions. This excellent school has had to turn away over 20 children who have applied for places next September because of the overcrowding and lack of space. They have allocated places on the basis of the children’s age. As a result all children under 4 years and nine months are being told there is no place for them.

“The families have only been told about this in the last ten days or so. Those children who have been turned away include youngsters who already have older brothers or sisters in the school. Parents have had an expectation that their children would be accommodated in the school and now all the other schools in the area are full. As a result their children will have no school place at all come September.

“St Ciaran’s is already the most overcrowded school in Dublin 15. Nineteen of the school’s 24 classes have 30 or more pupils. This is completely unacceptable and is a damning indictment of the failure of the Minister for Education who must take responsibility for the huge distress being caused to the outstanding teachers, parents and the whole community.

“Last night in the Dail, Junior Minister Sile de Valera singled me out, accusing me of creating panic over this. We have witnessed the ongoing failure of the Fianna Fail/PD government to recognise and plan for the extraordinary growth in population numbers in Dublin West. The Minister would be better off spending her time coming up with a plan that will deliver a solution to communities in Dublin 15 rather than taking her frustrations out on me. Surely it’s not beyond the wit of herself herself, and her fellow Ministers Lenihan and Hanafin to fix this problem.

“One of the features of this and other schools is the high number of international children who are being catered for, particularly in junior classes. Many of the immigrants settling in West Dublin have children of primary school going age. The majority of them need intensive language support. This means that the pressure on these schools to cater for both local Irish children and the special needs of the new international children is enormous. So far it has been the dedication of principals, teachers and parents which has enabled the schools to cope but it cannot continue without serious extra resources.

“The Minister’s promises of a couple of extra schools over the next two years, while welcome is too little too late. I have repeatedly made positive proposals for a long term solution to these ongoing crisis:

*A round table conference of all school principals with County Council and Education officials
*A proper assessment of new needs for the next 5 to 10 years in line with expected new housing
*Immediate purchase of sites for the new and planned housing in Dublin 15
*A phased plan to build the schools at the same time as the houses

“This week’s list of planning application in Dublin 15 includes no less than EIGHT prefab classrooms for two of the schools under pressure of numbers. This really says it all. Nine years of Fianna Fail/ PD Government, 15,000 extra houses in Dublin 15 and their only solution is the old sticking plaster approach of prefabs. So much for the Celtic Tiger!”

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