Press Release: Dún Laoghaire 26 June 2006

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Dún Laoghaire, Environment and Justice Press Releases

26 June 2006

Monkstown Ring Road Approval by Bord Pleanála Flawed

– Green Party

An Bord Pleanála has issued a decision approving the Monkstown Ring Road. The approval has been criticised by the Green Party which stated that the decision to provide more road space in the suburbs will create more problems than it solves.

The proposed road scheme extends over a distance of 1100 metres from Carysfort Avenue to Deansgrange Road and incorporates the existing Fleurville entrance road, Rowanbyrn access road and Brookville Park.

The application for the road scheme was lodged with An Bord Pleanála on 27 December 2005 under Section 51 of the 1993 Roads Act. An Oral Hearing was held in Dublin’s Gresham Hotel in February 2006, and the decision was signed by the Board on 22 June 2006.

The Board has approved the road with 13 conditions, stating that the road would cater for the transportation requirements of the county; promote and strengthen Dún Laoghaire and Stillorgan; attract traffic from less suitable roads and make Newtown Park village more accessible.

Green Party Environment spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD said, “Adding more road space and increasing traffic on residential streets is an outdated approach to traffic problems. This road will increase lead to an increase in traffic, noise and pollution. While some areas will benefit, the construction of a new road will inevitable lead to more people travelling by car thus cancelling out the benefits of the scheme.

“The Green Party spent considerable time and effort on putting our arguments across at the Oral Hearing and we are disappointed that the Bord has approved the scheme. The Bord’s decision makes no mention of the sixteen homes that will be demolished in and around Yankee Terrace off Newtownpark Avenue.

“Instead of proceeding with the road, more should be done to encourage the provision of improved Luas, DART and bus transport in this area, as well as encouraging cycling and walking.”

Local Green Party Councillor Nessa Childers stated:

“This road plan is thirty years old, and represents unsustainable development. I believe that the road should be dropped from the Development Plan, and I intend tabling a motion along these lines to the next meeting of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.”

Click here to read more from Ciarán on the Monkstown Ring Road