Councillor calls for pedestrian crossing on busy Fonthill Road

A CLONDALKIN councillor has expressed frustration at the local council’s refusal to place a pedestrian crossing close to the entrance to the Clondalkin Equine Club on the Fonthill Road.

Cllr Mark Ward (SF) said the Clondalkin Equine Club was a wonderful addition to North Clondalkin that brought “a bit of light and colour to our area”.

“The club is used by young people of the area on a daily basis so they can care for their horses that are stabled there,” he said. “They learn proper and correct horse ownership skills.

“Right beside the equine club is the Clondalkin Addiction Support Programme which supports people and their families throughout their journeys through addiction. This service is another vital service to our area.

“Both of these organisations have been calling for a pedestrian crossing on the Fonthill Road so their patrons can cross it safely to use the facilities that they provide.

“I have had numerous motions calling for the council to provide pedestrian lights. The response I received was that when they carried out a study they found in their opinion that there was not enough pedestrian traffic to warrant a crossing.

“Both these services have heavy footfall at different times during the day and would not necessarily have a constant flow of people but this should not exclude them from getting a crossing.

“I also called for the council to provide a zebra crossing instead but was informed that the Fonthill Road was too wide for this.”

Cllr Ward pointed out that there was also an entrance to Ballyowen Park at this location that members of the public and local football clubs use on a regular basis.

“This crossing would benefit the whole community,” he added. “The Fonthill Road is an extremely busy road and I am asking the council to reconsider their refusal on health and safety grounds.”

In March, South Dublin County Council said a survey found that the numbers recorded were well below the level required to satisfy the warrant for provision of a crossing.

At a later meeting of the Clondalkin Area Committee, the council said the Fonthill Road, due to its width and the number of lanes, was not suitable for a zebra crossing.