Laneway remains open after outcry
NO SAFE ALTERNATIVE FOR PEDESTRIANS
Wednesday October 07 2009
A NUMBER of local councillors have had a change of heart on the controversial proposal to close off a laneway on Kinsealy estate after a public consultation process revealed a majority in favour of keeping the lane open.
A proposal to close the right of way between Drynam Drive in Drynam Hall estate and Kinsealy Melrose was returning from a period of public consultation that garnered a huge response from locals. Some 402 submissions were made during the period of public consultation. Of those, 128 favoured closing the lane while 274 wanted it left open.
Petitions were submitted for and against the closure with those in favour of the closure motivated by the need to tackle ongoing antisocial behaviour on the laneway. On the other hand, residents wanting the lane to remain open argued that it provided vital access to local amenities including schools, GAA pitches, a creche and a pharmacy as well as the route 142 bus stop.
These residents argues that closing the lane would not stop the anti-social behaviour in the area, but simply displace it to another location.
It was argued that there was 'no safe alternative route' for pedestrians that might facilitate the closure.
Cllr Peter Coyle, who had argued for keeping the lane open from the beginning, made a submission to that effect. When the proposal returned to the Malahide/Howth Area Committee last week, he said that keeping the lane open was particularly important for wheelchair users who did not have a safe alternative. On hearing the numbers in favour of keeping the lane open, Cllrs Joan Maher (FG), and Cllr Eoghan O'Brien (FF), said that despite initially being in favour of the closure, they were now persuaded, with some reservations that at least for now, the lane should remain open.
But Cllr Alan Farrell (FG), stuck to his guns on the issue and said he remained in favour of the closure. He suggested that there were more alternative routes for pedestrians available than the map provided for public consultation suggested, a claim disputed by Cllr Cian O'Callaghan (Lab).
Cllr Farrell also argued that some people who had signed petitions to keep the lane open lived outside the area.
Ultimately the committee voted in favour of keeping the lane open with the exception of Cllr Farrell. The proposal will now go forward to a full meeting of the council for a final vote.
- John MANNING
