Press Release: Dún Laoghaire 10 October 2006

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Dún Laoghaire, Environment, Justice and Latest Press Releases

10 October 2006 

Green Party says Monkstown Road Decision Flawed 

The Green Party has expressed its disappointment with yesterday’s decision by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to proceed with the construction of the Monkstown Ring Road.

Local Green Party TD Ciarán Cuffe stated:

“This road will bring thousands of cars past the homes of people who are currently living in quiet cul-de-sacs in Rowanbyrn, Fleurville, and Brookville Park.

It will demolish hundred year old homes and fifty year old trees. 

“It is unbelievable that the Council believes that these types of roads-based transport solutions will tame the traffic. We agree with the Bord Pleanála Inspector who stated that the road would lead to more children being driven, rather than walking to school. Of course there will be winners and losers in all of this but building more roads will bring more car traffic to all roads over time.” 

Local Green Party Councillor Nessa Childers stated:

“This unnecessary road will bring thousands of cars past people’s driveways everyday, suffering noise, pollution and vibration. The traffic implications and the serious failure of the council’s traffic department in presenting their case adequately led, among other factors, to Mr Jones rejecting the scheme. He does so, not in a dismissive manner but in clear professional tones. 

“Any benefits the road will have will be outweighed by the environmental violence it will visit on the estates of Rowanbyrn and Brookville, the further stress it will create on the village of Stillorgan, and that it is totally contrary to the policies of national, regional and local development of transport which exist in 2006. 

Local Green Party Councillor Kealin Ireland stated:

“The only solution to the traffic gridlock in the county is for Dún Laoghaire County Council to demonstrate leadership and demand of the Dublin Transport Office that it provide an enhanced public transport service for Dún Laoghaire. If, as the County Manager Owen Keegan has said "we have lost the battle with the car" let's look at alternatives, not build more roads which eventually become carparks.”  

Green Party Councillor Tom Kivlehan stated:

"Even the Council admits that the Monkstown Ring Road will end up pushing more traffic through the village of Monkstown".