Social Democrat general election candidates councillor Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West) and Ross O’Mullane (Dublin South West) are seeking funding for a comprehensive plan that they say would “significantly reduce” noise pollution from the M50 motorway.
This initiative is aligned with the Social Democrats Election manifesto which aims to enhance the quality of life for residents across Dublin, and Ireland as a whole, and builds on the Environmental Noise Directive (END) and South Dublin County Council’s Noise Action Plan for the Agglomeration of Dublin.
Ó Broin and O’Mullane said that while the M50 is a “critical infrastructure component,” it has “long been a source of noise pollution.”
They said the noise impacts “tens of thousands of residents living in close proximity.”
The party has proposed introducing noise barriers, low-noise road surfaces, planting more trees and engaging with the community as a way of lowering noise pollution locally
The implementation of these measures, they believe, would result in a significant reduction in noise pollution levels, improving the quality of life for tens of thousands of Dublin residents going from Lucan, through Clondalkin to Tallaght then along Tymon Park where the areas of Greenhills, Perrystown and Templeogue are particularly badly affected due to the flat topography of the area, it would then finish up at Firhouse and Knocklyon where some low-impact sound barriers were previously installed. The two candidates anticipate that these efforts will also set a precedent for future infrastructure projects, emphasising the importance of environmental and community well-being.
Ross O’Mullane, Social Democrat candidate for Dublin South West stated “I live about a mile from the M50 in Perrystown and the noise is unrelenting, everyday 24/7 a constant drone impacting tens of thousands of my neighbours. It doesn’t have to be this way. In many other European cities when motorways are near residential areas you’ll see large noise barriers- we deserve the same. When I go on my morning walk in Tymon Park for a long stretch you walk within 10 metres of the motorway and it’s so loud you can’t even maintain a conversation- like many things in this country we can do better. Birdsong and the noise of children playing are the only things I want to be hearing outside my house!”
Councillor Eoin Ó Broin, Dublin Mid-West candidate said “this initiative represents a major step forward in our commitment to creating a healthier and more liveable city. We are confident that these measures will make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by motorway noise.”