Balgaddy improvement welcomed by local councillors

Progress on housing developments and community realm upgrades in Balgaddy, south Dublin have been welcomed by local county councillors.

At a recent sitting of the local area committee for Lucan-Palmerstown/Fonthill and North Clondalkin, the local authority presented a report to elected representatives outlining the current status of social housing projects and local infrastructure upgrades.

Sinn Fein councillor for the area, Derren Ó Brádaigh said he hopes this marks a “turning point” for the community.

“The Balgaddy quarterly report has marked a turning point toward finally addressing and getting to grips with some of the long-needed repairs and upgrade works required across Balgaddy,” he said.

“The selection of Balgaddy for the ‘Better Block’ initiative is wonderful.

“This is an urban design non-profit project initiative that educates, equips, and empowers communities and their leaders to reshape and reactivate built environments to promote the growth of healthy and vibrant neighbourhoods.”

The report included details of upcoming works such as painting, utility box replacements, communal door installations, glass repairs and shared space clean-ups.

These upgrades follow motions submitted by councillors last year calling for the improvement of the local area.

“Whilst these improvements and initial clean-ups to areas at Foxdene Avenue and Tor an Rí are hugely welcome, it is important that we all continue to work together to keep the momentum behind this drive to take back the community of Balgaddy for the people that live here,” Ó Brádaigh said.

“A new community centre and long-awaited delivery of 69 new homes are to be welcome and it is expected that construction will commence this year, somewhat behind schedule.

“New permeability routes connecting Tor an Rí and Meile an Rí to Thomas Omer Way will finally help to provide safe pedestrian access for local school children and commuters accessing nearby bus routes.

“These are all improvements that are long overdue but will now go some way to giving hope to Balgaddy residents that they are not being completely forgotten.”

A two-day Easter event is also in the works for April 13 and 14 in the Child and Family Centre with an Easter egg hunt also being planned.

There are also art classes for children and spring flower arrangement classes too.

“Every project that brings people together and seeks to restore a sense of pride in the area in which people live and work is to be encouraged in my view, and I commend the council, their work crews and the local community groups and residents for their efforts in this regard,” Ó Brádaigh says.