Pigeon House Road Consultation

Overview

Pigeon House Road is a residential area and reports from elected Councillors and members of the public outlined there were on-going issues of speeding, congestion, rat-running, noise and air pollution.  Dublin City Council proposed a scheme to promote cycling and pedestrian transport while make the neighbourhood a more liveable community where conditions are better for all residents in the area.  In August 2020 temporary traffic calming measures were implemented to create a pedestrian and cycling friendly zone on Pigeon House Road. 

The trial closed a section of road to motor vehicles and retained access for pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency vehicles through the use of bollards and planters east of the Poolbeg Quay apartments and north of Ringsend Recycling Centre. The trial also included the appropriate traffic and road markings and signage. The trial commenced on the morning of 16th August 2020 for an initial period of four weeks, and was extended as agreed by elected Councillors for a further period of 12 months. 

It is important to note that emergency services continue to have access through the filtered permeability measures in cases of emergency and this was one of the critical design briefs taken into consideration at initial design stages.

Based on observational surveys of the Pigeon House Road Area and research into the impacts of filtered permeability measures, the following positive impacts of the trial were observed:
 

• Cut-through traffic (rat-running) has been eliminated on Pigeon House Road so that drivers are no longer able to use this local route as a short-cut from Sean Moore Roundabout to Ringsend via Pigeon House Road, and vice versa.
• Less traffic has created a safer space for local residents, pedestrians, cyclists which include children attending local schools in Cambridge Road and surrounding areas.
• Permeable neighbourhoods benefit the public health by encouraging walking and cycling, interaction and inclusion.
• Reduction in motorised traffic has led to improvement in local air quality and reduction in noise pollution.
• Safer cycling routes to the local Ringsend Park and the local amenities it offers.
• These measures have created a safer and more liveable area for residents of Pigeon House Road, Poolbeg Quay Apartments, Cambridge Avenue, Ringsend Park, Cambridge Road, York Road, Thorncastle Street, and other local streets.
• Local vehicular access to Pigeon House Road has been retained.
• Access through the bollards has been maintained for emergency vehicles.
• Positive health benefits.

The following negative impacts were observed:

• Local residents who travel by car are required to take a more circuitous route.
• Drivers who used to travel down Pigeon House Road to access to the Sean Moore roundabout (and vice-versa) have to take a longer more circuitous route on the Arterial roads.  

At this point we are seeking feedback from the public to help determine the most suitable next steps for the scheme. The options are:

1. To make the current Filtered Permeability Scheme a permanent measure going forward.
2. To further extend the trial for a period of 12 months to continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the current Filtered Permeability Scheme.
3. Remove the existing Filtered Permeability Scheme and revert the road back to its original layout prior the implementation of this scheme on 16th August 2020.

Please let us know your thoughts on this by filling out the following survey. 

Design drawings and photos of the scheme are available at the bottom of this page.