Residents opposed to tree felling  

RESIDENTS on a Northside road have hit out at Dublin City Council’s plans to fell a number of trees to facilitate traffic movements for a proposed primary health care centre.

The city council is planning to remove a large section of trees and grass space on the Tonlegee Road in Raheny to make space for an extra turning lane for a proposed HSE car park attached to the new centre.

The three-storey centre is to be built on a site opposite their homes and it’s expected that work will begin later this year. The centre has received full planning permission.

Gavin McGowan, secretary of the Tonlegee Road East Residents' Association, said the local people affected by the proposed plans are “livid”.

“These trees and the grass space add character to the main road and are a common feature all along the Tonlegee Road,” said Mr McGowan. 

Kenneth McKnight, chairperson of the Tonlegee Road East Residents’ Association, explained that some of these trees have been on the road for more than 40 years. 

"The trees act as a safety barrier, a sound barrier and a flood-defence barrier from the very busy main road and also provide privacy," said Mr McKnight.

“Approximately 13 trees will be cut down and we will have no barrier in front of this centre. Opposition to the trees being cut down is growing and the local residents are extremely angry.”

The residents have sought help from their local public representatives in their bid to get the city council to change their plans.

On July 1, the locals living on the road established the Tonlegee Road East Residents’ Association and on the day they cleaned up the footpaths, collected rubbish and planted flowers around the trees.

Local councillor Tom Brabazon (FF) has made representations to the Roads and Traffic Division of Dublin City Council asking that the grass verge and the trees be preserved. 

“Residents along this part of Tonlegee Road are vehemently opposed to their trees being removed and are fearful that the protection that the verge and footpath gives to their houses would be lost,” he said.

At the time of going to press, Dublin City Council did not respond to our request for comment.