Press Release – O’Gorman calls for traffic signs to be moved at Coolmine level crossing

Dangerous Signs at Coolmine level crossing

27/08/08

Green Party Castleknock ward candidate, Roderic O’Gorman has called on Irish Rail to reposition the warning signs at Coolmine level crossing as he says they pose an obstacle for pedestrians.

“I have written to Irish Rail and asked them to consider moving the ‘large vehicle’ warning sign at the Coolmine level crossing. The signs are mounted in such a way as to block a significant part of the footpath and create an obstruction to pedestrians. The footpath is already very narrow at this particular point and I have seen parents with buggies forced out onto the road. I can only imagine it is difficult for wheelchair users to negotiate passing them also”, stated Roderic O’Gorman.

“I think everyone who uses Coolmine station welcomed the construction by Irish Rail of the pedestrian bridge crossing the canal. However, the positioning of these signs remains an obstacle to those crossing the tracks, at what is a very busy crossing, both with pedestrians and cars, at peak time”.

“While I understand that there is a legal obligation to have a warning sign, I have asked Irish Rail to examine the site and see if the signs could be moved to a safer and more appropriate location. Indeed, in their current location, drivers of large vehicles would have almost crossed the tracks by the time they could see the signs, so from the point of view of Irish Rails legal obligations, it’s probably a good idea to move the signs also”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Further Information
Roderic O’Gorman: 087 417 9777
rodericogorman@gmail.com

Press Release – O’Gorman welcomes progress on parking problems in Luttrell Park

10/08/08

Green Party Castleknock ward candidate, Roderic O’Gorman has welcomed the decision of Fingal County Council to implement some single yellow lines in the Luttrell Park estate. However, he has called on the Council to go further.

“I was recently canvassing door-to-door in Luttrell Park, where one of the main issues that was raised with me was the disruption caused by large volumes of commuter parking occurring within the estate. Residents described to me the difficulties that this caused – bin lorries unable to make pick-ups and more seriously, ambulances unable to access certain parts of the estate”, stated Roderic O’Gorman.

“I made representations to Fingal County Council on this issue – specifically stating that single yellow lines should be implemented in a number of locations to ensure that at least one side of the major access roads would be kept car free”.

“I am pleased to say there has been some, admittedly small progress on these issues. The Transportation Dept. of Fingal County Council have contacted me to say that they will be implementing a single yellow line along the west side of Luttrel Park Drive from the main road to the junction with Luttrell Park Close”.

“While this development is welcome, I do not believe that it goes far enough to deal with the parking issues currently being experienced. However, Fingal County Council have committed to keeping the issue under review and I will continue to lobby the Council on the issue of commuter parking in the estate, particularly in light of the new charges being implemented at Coolmine Station”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Further Information
Roderic O’Gorman: 087 417 9777
rodericogorman@gmail.com

Clarification about the status of Coolmine multi-storey car park welcome

In the New Year I was contacted by some local residents, regarding reports in local media about a plan by Iarnród Éireann to develop a multi-storey car park at Coolmine Station. I wrote to Iarnród Éireann, seeking clarification on the matter. Barry Kenny, the Corporate Communications Manager, has since contacted me and supplied me with the following details:

- Iarnród Éireann wishes to develop a multi-storey car park at Coolmine, but are aware of the existing traffic congestion problems – particularly as regards the level crossing.
- In light of these problems, they do not intend to proceed with plans for a multi-storey car park at this time.
- Iarnród Éireann are in discussions with Fingal CC about methods of relieving traffic congestion at the Coolmine Level Crossing. One option being considered is an overpass which would eliminate the level crossing.
- Should Iarnród Éireann develop a multi-storey car park at the site in the future, they would propose to only build it one storey high.

Hopefull these points offer some certainty as regards Iarnród Éireann’s plans for Coolmine. While it’s good to have clarification of the situation, I don’t think it was fair that residents were left in the dark for so long and had to listen to rumour and speculation. If Iarnród Éireann do intend to go ahead with either a multi-storey car park or an overpass at Coolmine, it is essential that local residents are consulted from the very start of the process.

I will stay in touch with IE on this issue, and post updates if the situation changes.