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National Parks.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 April 2005

Tuesday, 12 April 2005

Questions (303, 304, 305)

Joan Burton

Question:

339 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide as previously requested by the Deputy, a children’s playground at the Dublin 15 end of the Phoenix Park, particularly in the vicinity of Farmleigh, in order to make provision for the tens of thousands of children now in the catchment area for such a playground for whom there are almost no public playground facilities; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the playground at the Infirmary Road end of the park is not accessible by public transport from the Dublin 15 direction, except with great difficulty. [10108/05]

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Written answers

The principle governing the management of the Phoenix Park is its conservation and presentation as a national historic park. Within these parameters, the Office of Public Works in managing the Phoenix Park maintains a careful balance between competing interests for the optimum benefits for all users. In this context, it is considered that the existing playground in the People's Gardens, which was recently comprehensively upgraded, is adequate. The provision of further public playgrounds in the vicinity of the Phoenix Park is more properly the responsibility of the relevant local authority.

Joan Burton

Question:

340 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he has proposals to provide additional pedestrian crossings in the Phoenix Park given the speed of traffic through the park and the fact that, other than at roundabouts on the main road, there are no specific pedestrian crossing points. [10109/05]

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Chesterfield Avenue was not originally constructed to deal with the current intense traffic volumes. As a result, it now needs both major repair works and the introduction of design features with a view to increasing safety and reducing the speed of traffic.

A fully integrated plan for the renovation of Chesterfield Avenue has accordingly been prepared by my office, and it is intended to submit the scheme for planning permission later this year. The safety of all park users has been paramount in the preparation of this plan, which has been developed in consultation with the Dublin Transportation Office, and will involve a variety of traffic calming measures, including pedestrian zones in the vicinity of the zoo, together with the construction of a roundabout at Mountjoy Cross. These features will be sensitive to the special ethos of this national historic park. It is proposed to implement the project on a phased basis in order to minimise disruption to park users and subject to the availability of funding.

Joan Burton

Question:

341 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the situation with respect to the proposed traffic calming measure to be introduced in the Phoenix Park; if there is a proposal to provide one way traffic systems at the Cabra and Ashtown Gates as previously advertised by the OPW; the reason for the cancellation of such works; if the works have now been abandoned or if they will proceed in the future; and the estimated cost of such works. [10110/05]

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Chesterfield Avenue was not originally constructed to deal with the current intense traffic volumes. As a result, it now needs both major repair works and the introduction of design features with a view to increasing safety and reducing the speed of traffic.

As part of the proposed fully integrated plan for the renovation of Chesterfield Avenue, which was developed in consultation with the Dublin Transportation Office, a number of traffic calming design features are envisaged with a view to reducing traffic speeds and enhancing the safety of all users of the Phoenix Park, including a roundabout at Mountjoy Cross and a pedestrian zone in the vicinity of the zoo. These features will be sensitive to the special ethos of this national historic park. It is proposed to implement the project on a phased basis in order to minimise disruption to park users and subject to the availability of funding.

A number of ramps were installed recently on the back road in the Phoenix Park, between the zoo and the Ashtown Gate, a stretch of road particularly badly affected by speeding traffic. The proposal to implement a one-way system at the Ashtown and Cabra Gates of the Phoenix Park has been deferred pending further research into its likely impact on traffic flows outside the park, particularly at rush hour, and to facilitate consultation with Fingal and Dublin City Councils. Apart from staff time spent on planning for the new system, no major significant costs are associated with the implementation of the one-way system.

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