Background:

In 2005 Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council moved ahead with their plans to build a new road between Carysfort Avenue and Deansgrange Road. The Green Party Councillors voted unanimously against the road but the majority of councillors voted in favour of it.

I spent several days at the Bord Plenála hearing arguing that money would be better spent on other transport projects. I was saddened that the scheme would mean the demolition of Yankee Terrace and the loss of many mature trees in residential areas.

However, the road was approved for construction and over the years I’ve assisted local residents to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum. I've been in regular contact with the Director of Transportation and the engineers in charge of the road. Below are some of their answers to your queries.

When will the Monkstown Ring Road open?

What will be done to ensure the road is safe for all users?

Will the Council ban Heavy Good Vehicles (HGVs) from using the new road?

What safety measures will be put in place for residents exiting Rowan Byrn in their vehicles onto the new road?

What is the reasoning behind the location for the bus stop outside Rowan Byrn?

Why did Council staff photograph residents at a recent protest?

Will the Council carry out accommodation works for residents affected by the new road?

Will there be speed ramps on the new road?

Can the Council confirm that no signage will direct traffic to the Port through the MRR?

Will the cycle path on the Monkstown Ring Road be on the footpath?

Will the Council erect a cul-de-sac sign at the entrance of Rowanbyrn estate?

When will the Monkstown Ring Road open?
The road is due to open early to mid November 2009.

Transportation Department DLRCC (16 Oct 2009)

What will be done to ensure the road is safe for all users?
The Council are also organising to have a road safety audit carried out independently of the designers and contractors to ensure the road and junctions are safe for all road users. This will be completed before the road is opened with all recommendations acted upon. The Gardaí are part of this road safety audit team.

William Horgan, Senior Engineer (2 Oct 2009)

Will the Council ban Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) from using the new road?
The ban on HGVs may be considered once the road is in operation for a few months.

Joe Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer (2 Oct 2009)

What safety measures will be put in place for residents exiting Rowan Byrn in their vehicles onto the new road?
The scheme provides for a traffic signalled junction with a pedestrian crossing element associated with it.

Joe Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer (2 Oct 2009)

What is the reasoning behind the location for the bus stop outside Rowanbyrn?
The consultant's view is (and DLRCC Transportation concur with this view) that the proposed location has two advantages over the original position CPO Enquiry / EIS location:
 
(1) The visibility to the right for a driver entering the Monkstown Ring Road from the Cul de Sac will be clear except when a bus is approaching. A bus stopped at the bus stop at the original location would have blocked any driver’s view to the right thus preventing h