DCC Notes Compiled

Pictured Above: The Poolbeg Incinerator

Pictured Above: The Poolbeg Incinerator

Councillor Dermot Lacey’s submitted suggestions for the Dublin City Council to consider altering the road between Merrion Gates and the Tara Towers Hotel to ease traffic congestion were declined as the dedicated bus corridor would have to be removed.

Councillor Lacey also requested an update on the plans for flood protection measures for the area along Strand Road and Beach Road, Dublin 4 and to request the signage along the River Dodder.

The committee were informed that the programmed completion date for works on the current phases of the Dodder to the Smurfit weirs is the first half of 2017. However, due to the incredibly poor condition of most of the existing floodwalls to date, this may change. Planning permission is now required for changes to the wall beside the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) which may also elongate this programme.

The flood gates from Serpentine Avenue to Lansdowne Road are closed by the city council. DCC will arrange for signs to be placed on Serpentine Avenue and Lansdowne Road when the gates are closed.

Site investigations on Strand Road and Beach Road in Sandymount are completed. These will inform proposals to put flood gates on openings to the promenade and flood reduction options for the section from the promenade to Sean Moore Park.

Generally, apart from a few locations, the existing sea wall is in reasonable condition considering its age. However, increased sea levels and wave heights since its construction have significantly reduced its level of flood protection.

Councillor Sonya Stapleton sought answers from the Area manager about the Community Gain Fund in relation to the Poolbeg Incinerator. Her query attempted to clarify why the fund will not be set at approximately €15 million, which was calculated at 3% of the capital cost of the incinerator, initially estimated at about €500 million.

DCC replied that the CGF was to comprise of a once-off capital contribution of 3% of the capital cost of the facility and an annual revenue contribution. €8 million is that calculation, “based on the estimated construction cost of €266m.”

Councillor Sonya Stapleton also sought to know how, annually, 600,000 tons of waste will make its way to the Poolbeg incinerator (above, under construction) and how 200,000 tons of ashes make its way out of the city. She was informed that the planning consent requires the use of the M50 and the Dublin Port Tunnel for the delivery of waste. The transport of waste to the facility is estimated at an average of nine vehicles per hour.

Councillor Claire Byrne requested answers from DCC on the number of void dwellings that were refurbished and reallocated in the South East Area in recent times. 201 units were refurbished in the South East Area. 195 of these have been allocated and the remaining six units are currently on offer.

In December 2014 there were 102 void units in the South East Area. In December 2015 there were 36 units void in this area.

Councillor Jim O’Callaghan sought clarification on road, path, and drainage issues in the Gilford Road area of Sandymount. DCC have recently conducted relevant works to the raised matters in these areas.

Councillor Frank Kennedy requested a timetable of the process where it was agreed by the council that traffic calming measures would be put in place on Strand Road, Sandymount. Radar Speed Signs are installed now as planned. DCC will monitor how this may improve and influence drivers’ behaviour and prepare a report on it within six weeks.

Councillor Kennedy also led a motion that the SEA committee will write to the Minister for Education expressing its wishes that a suitable site for the Shellybanks Educate Together National School (ETNS) be acquired without delay and to ensure that construction of a building for the school is completed in time for the school year commencing in September 2017.

Councillor Lacey led a motion that the Area Manager should prepare a report on the suitability of including the RTE Aerial on the Record of Protected Structures.

It will be added to the Conservation Unit’s outstanding request list of some 151 candidate structures and groups of structures (344 candidate additions to the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) in total) to be examined for possible addition to the RPS upon completion of the current drafting of the (new) Dublin City Development Plan 2016–2022.

Compiled by Ferg Hayden