Newlands Cross Upgrade EIS - European Investment Bank

South Dublin County Council N7 Newlands Cross Upgrade
Environmental Impact Statement
Arup Consulting Engineers
Dublin County Council Development Plan 2004 – 2010) and at the eastern end of the
proposed route upgrade there is a small enclave of residential cottages.
There is an area zoned as a ‘green belt’ in the South Dublin County Council Development
Plan 2004–2010 to the south of the N7 road corridor which separates Clondalkin and the
Kilnamanagh / Tallaght areas. To east of the Belgard Road the land is primarily in agricultural
production, with a small area of industrial development fronting onto the N7. There is a small
derelict site located immediately to the south east of the N7 / Belgard / Fonthill Road (R113)
junction. Further to the south along the Belgard Road there is a large single residence with a
substantial sized garden and further to the south are a line of residential houses fronting on to
the Belgard Road.
To the southwest of the crossroads is Newlands Golf Course, to the south of which is an area
of land in agricultural production while to the west is an existing quarry. Land Use is
illustrated in Figure 7.3.
7.3.5 Circulation
7.3.5.1 Pedestrian Movement
The majority of pedestrian circulation is confined to the residential areas to the north of the
N7 road corridor. The housing estates in this area have pedestrian connections onto the
Fonthill Road and to the N7 where the bus corridors are located.
The footpath located on the north side of the N7 road corridor links onto the open spaces and
the residential area located off Boot Road to the west and the existing commercial and
residential developments to the east of the junction. There are pedestrian traffic lights located
at the cross roads itself. The footpath to the south of the N7 road corridor terminates at the bus
stop to the west of the junction and continues along the extent of the N7 road corridor to the
east. To the south the pedestrian movement is confined to the Belgard Road, which services
the residential area of Kilnamanagh located further to the south. Figure 7.4 illustrates
Pedestrian Movement.
There are existing cycle paths located along both the Belgard Road and the Fonthill Road.
7.3.5.2 Vehicular Movement
The primary vehicular movement is along the N7 road corridor, linking Dublin City with the
south of the country and is a heavily trafficked route. The other major vehicular route is the
north – south link between the Clondalkin and Tallaght areas along the Belgard / Fonthill
Road (R113). The high usage of this two routes results in regular traffic build up at the
junction. Vehicular Movement is illustrated in Figure 7.5.
7.3.6 Visual Analysis
The N7 road corridor itself consists of a two three lane roadways with a grassed median
between them. To the north-east of the N7 there is a slip road which services the commercial
and residential developments located in this area.
The general road corridor itself has a low level of visual quality and is illustrated in Plates 3.5
and 3.6.
There are no ‘views to be preserved’ as listed in the South Dublin County Council
Development Plan 2004 – 2010 in the immediate vicinity of the site.
December 2007 Page 108