Agenda and minutes

Minutes agreed

Letter and reply noted.

Anne Graham, CEO, National Transport Authority gave a presentation on BusConnects Dublin, a programme of projects to make the bus system better, faster, more reliable and more useful to more people.  Ms. Graham detailed the core bus corridors that are currently out for public consultation.

A copy of the presentation is attached and all details of the project are available at www.busconnects.ie.

Ms. Graham and Mr. Hugh Creegan replied to Members requests for more clarity on a range of issues including bus stop locations and design, cycle hubs and considerations for pedestrians and cyclists at junctions.   Mr. Creegan stated that this is the first stage of the project said that much of the design work is still to come.  He said the aim at the moment is to get agreement for the broad concept and make sure the project is space proofed.  He also said that the feedback from the public consultation will inform the next stage of the project. 

In response to Members concerns over the effect of some aspects of the project on the private citizens, Ms. Graham said we do not have endless choices so there is a need to rebalance the road space in some locations to move forward and make the bus system more effective. 

The Chairperson, Cllr Ciarán Cuffe called for multidisciplinary team be used for the design element of the project and stressed the importance of public engagement and using all communication channels available.

Presentation noted.

Mr. Brendan O’Brien updated the Members as follows:

·        An application for a judicial review of the An Bord Pleanála decision by a third party is scheduled for a hearing in the High Court on 31^st January, 2019.

·        Dublin City Council intend to bring forward a new application for College Green.

·        Dublin City Council will work with the National Transport Authority on the BusConnects network design for the College Green area.

·        The Transportation Department and Events Section of Dublin City Council are looking at the possibility of hosting summer events (July and August) in College Green in 2019, closing the area of to traffic on Sundays from 7am to 7pm. 

·        A trial pedestrianisation of Suffolk Street will commence on 2^nd February, 2019 for 6 weeks following consultation with local businesses.

Members voiced their support for both Suffolk Street and College Green trials.

Noted.

Mr Brendan O’Brien informed the Committee that Metrolink are;

·        Currently working through the submissions resulting from the recent non statutory public consultation.

·        A published revision of the Metrolink proposal will not be available for some months. 

·        And Dublin City Council will be proceeding with survey work on project impacts. 

Noted.  

Mr. O’Brien informed the Committee that Dublin City Council are awaiting a report from the National Transport Authority on the review of the options for the Liffey Cycle Route.

Some Members voiced concern over the delay in receiving the report from the NTA.

Noted.

Mr. Brian McManus, Head of Traffic, Noise and Air Quality Unit, presented the report to the Committee for noting.

Report noted.

Mr Dermot Stevenson outlined the changes to the Parking Control Bye-Lawsas listed in the report and answered Committee Member’s questions.

It was agreed to refer the Draft Dublin City Council Parking Control Bye-Laws 2019to the City Council for approval to initiate the public consultation process.

In her presentation to the Committee Ms. Karen Kennedy, Senior Executive Engineer gave the following updates:

·        Dodder Public Transport Bridge; the alignment is agreed and the EIAR is being prepared. Planning application will be submitted in 2019.

·        Blood Stoney Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge; An Bord Pleanála refused permission to amend bridge locations. A judicial review hearing date to be set at the end of February.

·        Point Pedestrian & Cycling Bridge; Feasibility Study recommended a new bridge rather than widening Tom Clarke Bridge. Dublin City Council to tender for a design consultant early in 2019.

·        Spencer Dock Pedestrian Cycling Bridges: Part 8 approved and tender documents being finalised for a contractor.

Noted.

Mr. O’Brien outlined the details contained in the report and highlighted to the members that the safety time for crossing does not depend on the green time but in fact the amber time.  He gave details of a proposal to change the amber timing from 1.2 metres per second to 1 metre per second and the effects this change would bring.

Members welcomed the proposal.

Report noted.

Mr. Clive Ahern informed the Committee that 650 abstracts have be received from people wishing to present at the Velo City 2019 Conference.  He said work is ongoing in development of the programme and a draft programme is available to view online at www.velo-city2019.com/conference-programme.

Noted.

Ms. Siobhan Maher outlined the active projects and informed the Members that Temple Bar Square, the Liffey Street Upper and Lower Project and Wolfe Tone Square Plaza are due to go to construction tender shortly.  The Group continue to advance the delivery of the City Centre Masterplan projects and noted that 17 of the 21 projects are now commenced.

In response to Members questions Ms. Maher informed the Committee that the Public Realm are available to advise all Dublin City projects including Bus Connects.

Report noted.

Minutes noted.

Motion deferred.

Motion agreed.