Newlands Cross Upgrade EIS - European Investment Bank

South Dublin County Council N7 Newlands Cross Upgrade
Environmental Impact Statement
Arup Consulting Engineers
Access to other car dealers, a truck wash, a service station, an adjacent hotel, and a restaurant
would be maintained from the start of the interchange and across the end of Fonthill Road
South, but would involve risk of delay at traffic lights with Fonthill Road. Signage would be
necessary as a mitigation measure.
Construction:
During construction, noise and visual intrusion would have a further adverse impact on
passing trade for the restaurant and, possibly, for Bewley’s Hotel. Visual impacts would be
greater for the overpass alternative, but could be mitigated by considerate timing of operations
in the environs of these businesses. Signage would also be necessary to assure motorists that
all businesses remain open and accessible.
Overpass or underpass alternative:
Both alternatives have a significant positive impact on local economic activity due to the
reduction in journey delays. However, the interchange would cause some loss of trade for a
few businesses located on the north side of the Naas Road (N7) due to the less direct access
and loss of familiarity. The latter factor is more pronounced in the case of the underpass
alternative.
3.12.2.3.5 Interactions with Physical Impacts
There are interactions between changes in air quality and noise and the amenity of local
residents. Some properties could also be affected by visual intrusion. There are interrelations
too with traffic projections in relation to local journey times and amenity for vehicle,
cyclist and pedestrian traffic not using Newlands Cross, i.e. in vicinity of Fonthill Road South.
3.12.2.3.6 Cumulative Impacts
Cumulative impacts would follow in that improved traffic flow through Newlands Cross
would cause traffic to continue to accumulate at the Red Cow Interchange. However,
improvements are currently being made to both the Red Cow Interchange and the M50 which
will reduce this prospect and complement the improved accessibility provided by the scheme.
Completion of a continuous Outer Ring Road one kilometre to the west will complement
improved traffic flow along the Fonthill and Belgard Roads (R113).
3.12.2.4 Mitigation on operation
• Provide signalised pedestrian crossings on both sides of the interchange.
• If overpass is selected, provide sufficiently wide pavements and other environmental
mitigation, e.g. lighting, pleasant surroundings to discourage sense of enclosure or
problems of graffiti.
• Provide sufficient width for cyclists with designated cycle waiting space on Fonthill Road
/ Belgard Road (R113) ahead of traffic stop line. Preferably, a short section of the road
surface at the interchange itself should be designated (painted) for right turns by cyclists.
• Provide visual and noise screening for properties on the Naas Road that would be affected
by visual or noise intrusion from the overpass alternative.
• Provide access and “services” signage for all businesses located on north side of Naas
Road in the vicinity of the interchange.
• Provide appropriate signage and continued access (with minimal delay) during
construction for these same enterprises.
December 2007 Page 61