Deputy Lord Mayor, Emer Costello Launches Petition to Save the 172 Bus Route

Click here to Sign the petition to save the 172 Bus:

I am calling on Dublin Bus to reverse its decision to cut the 172 service which runs from Dunard to Kildare Street.

This is a very important route in my area and since the
announcement I have received numerous calls and emails from constituents who are concerned that the route is to be axed. The bus runs down through Stoneybatter and is a valuable lifeline for many elderly people in the area who use the service to do all the day-to-day activities, like shopping, going to the bank and collecting their
pension. It is also an important link between the National Museum in Kildare Street and the Museum at Collins Barracks, Benburb Street.

If Dublin Bus management were on the route particularly in the morning, it is a busy service that is utilised by people in the area; the bus also crosses town and it makes no sense to me to curb a service like that.

This really is a massive backward step, we are trying to get people out
of their cars and onto public transport and this announcement completely
flies in the face of that.”

I have launched a petition in the area seeking a commitment from Dublin Bus to keep the service. Concerned Dublin Bus 172 commuters can sign up to the petition online
launched today at by clicking here on the link to the petition

I would be interested in hearing from concerned commuters if you wish to email your comments to emercostello@eircom.net or text to (087) 2865243

Sign the petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/172bus/petition.html

Waste Depot at Rathdown Road

We requested Dublin City Council to review its operation of the Waste Management facility at Rathdown Road. We have received numerous complaints of the nuisance it is causing to local residents in terms of noise, litter, and smells emanating from the trucks. In particular the night time operations are causing much distress to residents who are kept awake by trucks revving their engines and travelling to and from the depot, and we requested Dublin City Council to relocate the night time activities pending the move to Ballyboggan Road. .
The waste management facility was due to move to the Dublin Industrial Estate at Ballyboggan Road, however there is still no sign of this move-taking place. A recycling facility will still remain in Grangegorman when the waste management centre moves.
We also received many queries from constituent in relation to the new layout at the recycling centre and the work to the wall which is a protected structure.
We received the following report in relation to these matters.

Report
§ The City Council will ensure that all steps are taken to minimise any nuisance to local residents in relation to the operation of the Grangegorman Depot
§ There are no plans at this time to remove night-time operations to another depot in the City.
§ Legal formalities for the acquisition of premises in Ballyboggan Industrial Estate are being completed at present. The development of a Depot at this location would take approximately a year to complete and will depend on finance being available to complete this project.
§ The wall is a Protected Structure and all works were carried out in consultation with the Conservation Section, Planning Department, Dublin City Council.

We are disappointed that the Council will not relocate the night operations to another centre.
Since putting down the question to the City Manager in January, we have been assured that notices have been placed in the centre informing drivers of the requirement to be aware that they are operating in a residential area and that every effort should be made to minimise noise, particularly at night time.

We would welcome any further feedback on the disturbance that the operation of this centre is causing to residents.

Prostitution in Dublin 7 Area

Residents have been in contact with us about an increase in this activity in the area recently. We raised the matter at the Joint Policing Committee and the Gardaí provided the figures for 2008 arrests. To November 2008 a total of 52 arrests of women prostitutes were made while 27 male clients had been arrested and charged. The Gardaí reported that 270 cautions were issued to prostitutes while 96 had been issued to male clients. The Garda report stated that about five female prostitutes account for many of the arrests and cautions.
The Joint Policing Committee adopted a motion calling for the fines for soliciting the services of a prostitute to be increased.

Dublin 7 Traffic News

Avondale Road & Great Western Square
We have been informed that the ramps approved for Avondale Road will be installed early this year. We are continuing to put pressure on Dublin City Council to provide a date for this long-promised work to be completed.
Pay and Display residents parking has been approved for Avondale Road and Great Western Square. Dublin City Council informs us that they are experiencing delays in implementing these schemes. They have a number of parking metres on order and do plan to have these schemes operational in the first quarter of the year. We will keep you informed of developments.

Pedestrian Crossing at Smithfield
Cllr Emer Costello has asked the Manager to review the decision not to put the pedestrian crossing at the junction of Smithfield and Red Cow Lane (at the Cobblestone) as there is a lot of pedestrian traffic at this junction (particularly during the school term).. The matter is to be re-examined by the Traffic Advisory Group. We will keep you informed of developments.

Traffic on Montpelier Hill
We have received numerous complaints from residents in relation to the traffic mounting the footpath on Montpelier Hill and creating a major hazard for pedestrians.
Following our representations, Dublin City Council has agreed to erect bollards on Montpelier Hill just at the entrance to Montpelier Court to prevent cars from mounting the footpath there.
We are assured that this work is on the 2009 works programme and will keep you informed of developments.

Grangegorman Developments .

Dublin 7 Educate Together School
Dublin 7 Educate Together Primary School is to move from its current temporary location on the Navan Road to the new campus at Grangegorman. Planning permission has been granted for a new temporary prefabricated school on the site pending the construction of the permanent new school building on the campus.
The new school is scheduled to open in September 2009 and we are seeking commitments from the Government that this project will not be affected by cutbacks.

Laundry Building
The Grangegorman Development Agency have applied to Dublin City Council (DCC) for permission to renovate and adapt the Laundry Building (a Protected
Structure) for medical related facilities. This work is necessary to provide accommodation for the existing medical services during the redevelopment work. Further information on the planning application is available on the GGDA website or on the Dublin City Council Website.

Grangegorman Strategic Plan
The Grangegorman Strategic Plan is due to go out to public consultation shortly. Further information on the Grangegorman Development Agency can be downloaded from their website: www.ggda.ie. We will keep you informed of developments.

Dublin7 Planning News

Hotel at Chester House Under Appeal
(314-316 North Circular Road)
In August 2008 Dublin City Council granted planning permission for a 45 room hotel at 314-316 North Circular Road (Chester House). The permission was appealed to An Bord Pleanala and was due to be decided by 28 January. An Bord Pleanala inform us that they have extended that date until 2 March 2009. We will keep you informed of developments.

10 Storey Development at Smithfield Under Appeal
Dublin City Council has granted planning permission for a 10 Storey mixed use (retail and office) on Smithfield Square (Arran Quay Terrace, Coke Lane), despite a number of objections from local people. An appeal has been lodged with An Bord Pleanala and the case is due to be decided by 14 May.

Planning Application for Seven Storey Development on Lower Grangegorman
A planning application was lodged on 21 November for a seven storey mixed use (residential/retail) development on Lr Grangegorman, at the junction of Grangegorman Lr and Fitzwilliam Place. Residents from the area have a number of concerns about this development.
Dublin City Council requested the applicants to provide additional information on 20 January. The applicants have six months to respond to this request. We will keep you informed of developments.

Dublin City Council Proposals for O'Devaney Gardens & Domnick Street Regeneration Projects

The collapse of the five Public Private Partnerships between Bernard McNamara and Dublin City Council in May 2008 caused major distress to the residents of O’Devaney Gardens and the surrounding community.
Following the collapse of the projects, Dublin City Council set up a taskforce to examine the way forward to provide housing and community facilities at O’Devaney Gardens and Dominick Street.
In December 2008 the taskforce presented its preliminary reports which outlined a ten-year plan for the provision of social, affordable and private housing combined with community facilities and commercial facilities on both Dominick Street and O’Devaney Gardens sites.
The full proposals can be downloaded from the Dublin City Council website.

O’Devaney Gardens
The report proposes to build 500 housing units on the site with community centre, crèche facilities, commercial retail and a new public open space of 2,800 metres to act as a focal point for the wider community and assist in establishing a new village green.
Dublin City Council propose that the development will be carried out in three phases
Phase One 2009 – 2012
§ Phase 1 of Social & Affordable Housing development
§ Establish new street pattern & services
§ De-Tenant 2 additional blocks
Phase Two 2013 – 2014
§ Phase 2 of Social & Affordable Housing, Commercial
§ Development with Community Facilities & Rooftop Pitch
§ Establish new “village green” & playground
§ De-Tenant and demolish remaining blocks
Phase 3 2014 – 2018
Phase 3 of Affordable / Private Housing
Complete landscaping,& area upgrade
The proposals are at an early stage of development and will be subject to Government approval. We have insisted that residents of the surrounding community must be consulted along with the residents of O’Devaney Gardens on the redevelopment. Dublin City Council assures us that they will begin a process of engagement with all stakeholders. The full proposals can be downloaded from the Dublin City Council website.
Cllr Emer Costello is a member of the O’Devaney Gardens Regeneration Board and would welcome receiving your opinion on the proposals. Emer can be contacted at the above telephone number/email address or at our advice centre in the Community Centre Prussia Street, Mondays from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m.

Dominick Street
The report proposes to build 200 housing units on the site with community centre, crèche facilities, commercial retail and a New Public Open Space / plaza to be created along with two new streets improving connectivity, and access through site to Parnell Square. The full proposals can be downloaded from the Dublin City Council website (click on link)
Dublin City Council propose that the development will be carried out in three phases
Phase One 2009 – 2013
§ Develop 80 Social Housing units over ground floor Commercial/retail shop units
§ Basement car parking.
§ Establish new urban plaza and street to east side.
§ De-tenant northern end of site.

Phase 2: 2014 –2017
§ Develop Commercial site to Northeast corner with basement car-parking.
§ Mixed use development to North West side of site
§ Provision of community facilities,
§ private/affordable housing overground floor commercial units,
§ Basement car parking.
§ Establish new street to west side of Dominick Street
§ De-tenant South west corner of site.

Phase 3: 2014 –2016
§ Develop commercial / mixed use development to south east corner of site, to expand retail core, and link into existing retail environment
§ Complete urban plaza.

The proposals are at an early stage of development and will be subject to Government approval. We have insisted that residents the must be consulted at all stages of the development. Dublin City Council assures us that they will begin a process of engagement with all stakeholders.

Cllr Emer Costello is a member of the Dominick Street Regeneration Board and would welcome receiving your opinion on the proposals. Emer can be contacted at the above telephone number/email address or at our advice centre in the Community Centre Prussia Street, Mondays from 5.30 to 6.30 p.m.

Smithfield Update

Dublin City Council has suspended Phase Two of Smithfield development from the capital works programme in 2009. This means that construction works on the area of Smithfield south of the LUAS Line and Arran Street will not be completed in the short term. We are continuing to push for improvements on the Square. We are assured that there are other minor works being planned to enhance the space.
We are also seeking increased community participation in events being organised in Smithfield.
We received the following report in relation to the management of the Smithfield Square. If you would like to comment on this, please contact us at the above contact details.

Report
Last summer improvement works were carried out on the existing green area behind the facility building. The existing trees were pruned, new paving, walkways and seating installed and a new Friday market has commenced in this area.
The Parks Department have also provided a number of planted tubs to green the North King Street end of the plaza. The City Council is currently identifying possible interventions on the main space including lighting, planting and events infrastructure. Some of these works will go ahead in later in 2009 and 2010 as there is available funding for this
There is an existing system of local consultation in relation to events. Where possible information meetings are held regarding events and representatives of the various communities and interested parties are invited to these meetings where presentations are made or appropriate documentation circulated.
Organisers themselves would, depending on the nature of the event have a certain responsibility to liaise with residents or businesses in the direct vicinity of the event in order to ensure that any potentially negative impact would be identified and minimised as far as possible.
In our current Call for Proposals process for the running of events there is a requirement for community benefit in the local and civic context for all events supported by Dublin City Council and through this process the local communities can get involved in participation and possibly other aspects of the event. This has been the practice since the introduction of the process 3 years ago. We are examining ways of formalising a consultation group representative of all the stakeholders to enable a structural approach to the issues of community consultation