Agenda and minutes

Minutes agreed.

Letter noted.

Mr Brendan O’Brien, a/Executive Manager (Traffic), said that City Council is looking at 3 options: are there grounds for a judicial review; whether to prepare a new submission; or examine what the City Council can do under its own powers.  Members expressed preference for examining measures that the Council could implement without the need for planning permission.  Members were not in favour of a judicial review.  In reply to Members, Mr O’Brien said that even if there are grounds for a judicial review, it does not mean that the City Council will take a judicial review.  It may be more productive to look at what we can do under our own powers in the short term. Mr O’Brien expects that by the next SPC, he will be able to report definitively on what is being done   

Verbal report noted. A report will be brought to the next meeting of the Transportation SPC in relation to the City Council’s decision on College Green.

Mr Brendan O’Brien, a/Executive Manager (Traffic) said that in relation to the public consultation on the redesign of the bus network, the NTA received 30,000 submissions which it is working through.  It will take some months to come back with the actual emerging options.    In relation to the bus routes, the NTA today launched a non-statutory public consultation on the first 4 continuous bus corridor routes.  Mr O’Brien replied to Members questions.

Update noted.

Mr Andy Walsh, Senior Engineer, gave a presentation on the current Traffic Advisory Group process and changes that have been made, and on the proposed implementation of the Neighbourhood Traffic Schemes.  It is proposed to select one scheme for each of the five Areas of the city in late spring.  Mr Walsh said that there will be at all times a live Neighbourhood Traffic Scheme study in each of the five Areas.

Noted.

Mr David Smith, Principal Designer, Atelier TypoGraphic Design, introduced his report.  Members referred to various issues in relation to street nameplates.    Mr Smith replied to Members’ queries. 

Report noted and, in addition, the following measures were recommended by the SPC:

1.     That ‘mixed case’ design (example 4 on page 11 of the report) is used to ensure compliance with Universal Design standards.

2.     That colour is used to initially differentiate English from Irish.

3.     That comprehensive design, fabrication and placement standards are drawn up

4.     That a new script is commissioned by the City Council for the Irish language.

Mr Brian McManus, Head of Traffic Noise and Air Quality Unit, gave a report on the proposed Draft Noise Action Plan.  The Draft Plan, which is for the 4 Dublin Local Authorities, has gone to public consultation.  It deals with policy and how actions will be implemented in relation to improving the ambient sound quality.  Transport is the main contributor to ambient noise in the city.

Report noted.

Mr Clive Ahern, Administrative Officer, gave an overview of VeloCity Dublin 2019 which will take place in June next year.  It is an international cycling conference which seeks to improve policies, planning and the provision of cycling.  A further update will be brought  to the SPC in 2019.

Noted.

In relation to the Liffey Cycle Route, Mr Brendan O’Brien, a/Executive Manager (Traffic), said that a report is expected from the NTA in the next couple of weeks setting out the preferred option for the route.

Minutes noted

Noted.

Motion agreed.  A report to be submitted to a future meeting of the SPC on this issue.

Following discussion, Councillor Ciarán O’Moore proposed that the Motion be amended by putting a second on amber time also.  The Motion as amended was agreed.  A report on the matter to be submitted to a future meeting of the SPC.

Councillor Deirdre Heney said that the Motion was submitted from an animal welfare point of view and asked that the Committee try to put pressure on the Minister to take the matter seriously.  The Chairperson noted the area is under-resourced and suffering from a lack of meaningful legislation to control horses in the city, and that he fully supports the Motion.  Mr Brendan O’Brien, a/Executive Manager (Traffic), said that he and Mr Kevin Meade, a/Executive Manager, would be meeting with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport about this matter.

Motion, in respect of Part 1, agreed.

Motion agreed on the basis that there needs to be some legislative change the thrust of which is that the vehicle does not have right of way in a Living Street Scheme.

Motion deferred.

Motion agreed.