THE most extensive scheme to tackle traffic congestion yet proposed in the Republic is to be implemented in Ranelagh, Dublin, following consultation with local residents.
A draft circulated to city councillors by Dublin Corporation's traffic engineers explains that the "traffic calming" scheme is intended to reduce the volume of commuter traffic through the area as well as speeding on residential roads.
For several years people living in Ranelagh have been protesting against commuter traffic "rat running" through their streets to avoid congestion on the main arteries linking the outer suburbs with the city centre.
The corporation report concedes that the proposed traffic calming scheme "is not intended to entirely eliminate commuter traffic through the area, but rather to induce more acceptable levels of traffic and safety standards".
This would be achieved by installing "speed cushions" - effectively, elongated ramps - on such roads as Mountpleasant Avenue, Moyne Road, Cowper Road, Temple Road, Temple Gardens, Anna Villa and Richmond Avenue South.
In addition, Palmerston Road, used by 1,390 cars an hour at peak times, is to be narrowed and turned into a chicane to reduce speeding. A survey showed that the bulk of traffic using this route exceeds the 30 m.p.h. speed limit.
Staggered parking is recommended for Oxford Road: as well as a three tonne limit to discourage trucks, and a ban is proposed on left turning traffic from Charleston Road in the morning peak period to reduce its value to commuters.
The report suggests that CIE's plans to introduce a street level light rail service on the alignment of the old Harcourt Street rail line would reduce rat runs on Beechwood Road, currently the source of numerous complaints from residents.
It says traffic calming, widely used on the Continent, was a fundamental traffic management approach to adapt the volume, speed and behaviour of traffic to the primary function of the streets through which it passes".
Its intention was "to curb traffic, not to ban it". But it needed to be implemented on an area wide basis and designed to make it more difficult for traffic to go through the area, other than by using the main arteries.
These arteries, or "primary distributors" in road engineering terms, are defined as Rathmines Road, Ranelagh Road, Sandford Road, Canal Road, Dartry Road, Milltown Road, Castlewood Avenue and Charleston Road.
The objectives of the scheme are to discourage non essential trips through the area, to reduce the speed of traffic as well as the number and severity of road accidents and to improve the overall environment of the area.
Mr John Gormley, the former Green Party Lord Mayor, weld corned the scheme, saying it was overdue. "Traffic is seriously eroding the quality of life in residential areas of Ranelagh and Rathmines", he said.
"Mountpleasant Avenue, in particular, has become a death trap. Elderly members of the community cannot cross the street and parents are afraid to let their young children out on the footpaths".
Mr Gormley said the profile of the area had changed in recent years, with young families replacing flat dwellers. They were entitled to expect that the scheme would reduce traffic volumes in the area.
"This is the biggest traffic calming scheme ever to be launched in this country, and it is important we get it right. I would urge local residents to come forward with constructive suggestions during the consultation process".
The plan will be on view in Rathmines Library in the coming weeks.
