Bus corridors plan for Dun Laoghaire area

QBCs: The proposed new routes

Some 12 new quality bus corridors (QBCs) are planned for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, the Quality Bus Network Office has said.

The QBCs were outlined at an oral hearing for the planned Monkstown Ring Road, which is to include a bus lane along part of its route.

A QBC at Blackrock is already underway with construction beginning on the Rock Road shortly. The Dundrum to Blackrock orbital QBC, which takes in Mount Merrion Avenue, has gone through the public consultation process but construction has not yet begun.

Other QBCs are at the preliminary design stage and will be brought to public consultation through the Part Eight planning process.

The QBN office was established in 2003 to take over responsibility from the four Dublin authorities for the provision of bus lanes around the city and accelerate their development.

Anne Devine, senior Quality Bus Network (QBN) engineer said the QBC programme is acknowledged as having been very successful in providing an attractive alternative to the private car.

"The on-street priority measures have resulted in significant reductions in bus journey times, facilitated by a very substantial increase in bus passenger numbers and an increase in bus modal share after years of decline."

The overall aim of the QBC programme is to achieve a tight mesh of radial and orbital QBCs linking the suburbs with each other and with the city centre, Ms Devine said.

"The emphasis will be on facilitating improved bus access to major residential, retail and employment centres. The designs will be carried out on an integrated basis taking account of the needs of all road users."

Many of the proposed QBCs are likely to face local opposition. Their construction often involves the removal of grass verges, sections of footpaths and trees.

Residents in Mount Merrion Avenue and Foster's Avenue fought a campaign against the development of the Dundrum to Blackrock QBC. However, it is understood that following negotiation, a settlement will be reached and the QBC will go ahead.

1 Blackrock to Cherrywood

2 Church Road to Dún Laoghaire

3 Leopardstown Road

4 Foxrock to Dún Laoghaire

5 Kilmacud Road Upper Ext to Kilmacud Road Lr

6 Dundrum to Blackrock orbital

7 Sandyford to Stepaside

8 Sandyford Industrial Estate

9 Sandyford Road to Blackthorn Drive

10 Churchtown to Rathfarnham

11 Lower Drumartin Road to Clonskeagh

12 Lower Drumartin Road to Stillorgan