Public consultation has commenced on the Leopardstown Link Road and Roundabout Reconfiguration Scheme. This scheme involves the following

• The construction of a new link road from Leopardstown Road East to South County Business Park.
• The replacement of existing Leopardstown roundabout with a 4-arm signalised junction, with revised local accesses.
• The construction of a new link road through Leopardstown park Hospital south of Central Park, across the M50 linking to Murphystown Way
• The construction of a high quality pedestrian and cycle facilities on all new road improvements.

Any observations or comments on the proposals can be made in writing to An Bord Pleanála by Tuesday 2nd October 2012. Full details of the proposed changes to the Leopardstown Roundabout can be found on www.dlrcoco.ie under ‘latest news’.

A new Greenway was opened to the public on May 15^th, 2012. This walking and cycling route provides a new link from Leopardstown Road and Brewery Road into the Sandyford Business Estate at the Sandyford Luas stop. The route was constructed along part of the route of the Old Harcourt Street Railway line.

The scheme represents a significant enhancement in both pedestrian and cycling infrastructure for the area and provides a more suitable alternative route for pedestrians and cyclists into the Sandyford Business Estate than traveling via the Leopardstown roundabout. It also provides increased connectivity from Foxrock to Dundrum via Benildus Avenue.

The Greenway route is lit at night using lanterns designed to prevent ‘light spill’ into the adjacent properties. The route has been landscaped with trees on both sides over its length.

Later in the year, controlled crossing traffic signals known as toucan crossings (i.e with push buttons for pedestrians and cyclists) will be provided at the junctions of Leopardstown Road and Brewery Road.

Following a Part 8 planning process, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council approved  the Burton Hall Road Extension at a Council meeting on 09 January 2012.

The key objectives of the Burton Hall Road Extension are to: –

• cater for the expected growth in traffic arising from the future development envisaged by the Sandyford Urban Framework Plan;
• improve pedestrian and cycle facilities and accessibility to Sandyford Business District;
• provide a direct alternative access route to Sandyford Business District;
• mitigate traffic congestion at the existing Leopardstown Roundabout/ proposed signalised junction;
• fulfil the improved public transport objectives for the area.

The scheme consists  of construction of 0.21km of road linking Burton hall Road and Leopardstown road  and includes a southbound Quality Bus Corridor, cycle lanes, footpaths and landscaping. . The scheme also includes for the provision of a signal controlled junction at the Leopardstown Road junction incorporating signalised pedestrians crossings. Traffic will be able to enter the new road by turning left from Leopardstown Road only with right turn only access from the new road onto Leopardstown Road.It is hoped construction of this scheme will commence in 2012.

Public Transport Minister, Alan Kelly, along with the National Transport Authority (NTA) officially launched Leap Card on 12 December 2011. This is new integrated transport ticketing system for the Greater Dublin Area and consists of a reusable plastic smart card that can be used instead of paper tickets to pay-as-you-go for transport in Dublin.  It can be used on the Luas, Dart, Commuter Rail in the Dublin Area and all Dublin Bus Service (including Airlink, Xpresso and Nitelink).

The Leap Card offers passengers value and convenience with every transaction. It is easy to use and is hassle-free because it doesn’t require public transport users to have the correct change or lots of coins to hand. It’s also quicker with no more queuing at ticket machines for single tickets on Luas, DART and Commuter Rail Services. It’s safer because public transport users can top up online and can report their card lost or stolen so that no one else can use it. With Dublin Bus, Luas, DART and Commuter Rail Services all being on board, public transport users can travel around Dublin as it suits them, without having to buy a specific ticket in advance.

At the launch, Minister Alan Kelly TD, described it as a great boost for commuters. He said: “The Leap Card will be among the cheapest ways to get around Dublin and will make public transport more attractive. The testing period produced over 15,000 successful journeys and very positive feedback so now the Leap Card can go live,”

For detailed information on fares and other aspects of Leap Card, please visit www.leapcard.ie.

Representatives of local businesses, including the Sandyford Business Estates Association and companies from each estate comprising the Sandyford Business District joined Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council on Friday for a breakfast to mark the launch of the Sandyford Smarter Travel Area

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Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Councillors recently voted to adopt the Sandyford Urban Framework Plan. This is a five year plan to support the continuing growth and development of Sandyford Business District as the major business hub in South County Dublin in a sustainable and long term way
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