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THE OFFICE OF Public Works is seeking the public’s view on the future of parking in the Phoenix Park.
The public consultation process opened today and will run for five weeks, ending on 22 May.
More than 5,000 submissions were received from the public and key stakeholders in the first phase of consultation, which has fed into the Draft Parking Strategy.
This first phase of consultation, which took place over June and July of last year, found that over half of respondents had travelled on foot for their most recent journey to the Phoenix Park.
Almost a third had cycled for their most recent visit, while two thirds aid the could be persuaded to drive less or use another mode of transport to access the Park.
New bus services and improved cycling routes both to the Park and within it were cited as measures that could encourage people to leave the car when travelling to Phoenix Park.
However, 53% of respondents said they “usually, or sometimes” travel to Phoenix Park by car.
It is Government policy to reduce transport-related carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.
There are currently over 2,200 car parking spaces within the Phoenix Park and Farmleigh.
A range of cycle parking provision at key locations has been prioritised in the draft parking strategy.
A new 40-space carpark is also proposed close to Castleknock Gate to prioritise parking for those with mobility issues.
Upgrades to the Knockmaroon carp park is also proposed in order to improve the surface to make it more accessible for those with mobility issues.
Announcing the latest round of public consultation, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works Patrick O’Donovan, TD said: “The Draft Parking Strategy seeks to protect and conserve the Phoenix Park, while enabling appropriate access and use by Dubliners and visitors from further away.
“I would encourage all interested parties, both from the local community and those further afield, to read the Draft Parking Strategy and respond to the public consultation survey over the next five weeks.”
O’Donovan added that he was pleased to see that over 60% percent of respondents to the first round of consultation said they could be persuaded to drive less or use another mode of travel to access the Phoenix Park.
He added that the draft parking strategy “considers both cycle and vehicular parking in the Phoenix Park, as well as potential impacts on the immediate surrounding area”.
“It also addresses the needs and parking requirements of those with mobility issues,” said O’Donovan.
He continued: “Five percent of parking provision will be suitable for those with disabilities and a further five percent will be designated for the active aged.
“However, the Draft Parking Strategy also recognises that, to make the Park inclusive for all visitors, some visitors will need parking provision.
“Overall, the draft Strategy proposes to improve access for those with mobility challenges through maintaining the current car parking availability.”
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The winter vomiting bug (norovirus) had been around for some time now. What I cannot understand is Joe public visiting hospitals despite requests not to. Next of kin of course must visit. I’ve seen so much recently of aquatinted people and neighbors …. we can only stop infection by following requests of medical experts.
You get people going to A&E that really don’t need to be there.. the minor injuries clinic will sort you out for things like sprains, stitches, and minor fractures. A&E should be for medical emergencies like serious fractures, head injuries, spinal injuries, cardiac and respiratory problems. If you go to A&E with the sniffles or a minor injury, you are part of the problem in the Irish Health Service. If it’s serious enough, you’ll be referred from your GP or the minor injury clinic or the swift care clinics. They may even get you a spin in an ambulance.
@David: It’s not always practical. Minor injury clinics don’t operate 24/7. The one in Smithfield for example is 8-6 excluding weekends and bank holidays.
Go to the equivalent of SouthDoc then. Get your referral letter, if required, it’ll save you money as you won’t pay the A&E fee, provide reassurance and free up space in the A&E. Most doctors can put a few stitches in… it comes down to common sense. There are an awful lot of hypochondriacs in Ireland.
@David: The problem with crowding is the numbers who require admission and patient flow which is at a standstill. It’s all well and good telling people to first go to their GP, but high acuity patients need to go directly to an A&E. Minor injury units need to operate 24/7. GP’s should have direct access to diagnostics which again should be open 7/7. Triage should also be able to redirect inappropriate attendees back to GP’s.
Another thing that’s strange is people turning up to A&E with not medical issues. Do they not realise theres a out of hours doctor facility Care Doc or South Doc that are more than capable another thing I don’t get is people queuing at a doctor surgery coz they’ve a cough or cold.
Their GPs are still on holiday. If they attend Southdoc they must pay for the service. By going to the CUH they produce their medical card and get it for free and then ring their local radio station complaining about having to wait 8 hours in A&E.
Southdoc don’t charge if the patient has a medical card.
People who require a certificate for work because they have a heavy cold will have to get it from someone. I don’t see the issue with them queuing too get it from their doctor.
Charge everyone the a an e charge. If it is a real emergency you will get admitted and therefore no charge for a and e. Other than that see a GP and let them refer you to a and e if deemed necessary. Medical card holders can see out of hours doc for free but many go straight to a and e as that is free too.
Get well soon, all of ye.
To avoid €100 fee you need a gp letter or a medical card. Seems strange.Ambulance cases or gp referrals only.
Gosh! sick people over the Christmas / winter period, that’s something we’ve never seen before
no mention of the skeleton crews running the hospital last week…
yes yes I know someone will say that Hospital staff are entitled to holidays too, of course they are but not all at the same time
Have seen first hand the volume of patients presenting to an A&e in Cork over the Christmas period. It’s not a case of Skelton staff, in fact there were staff including doctors drafted in from other areas of the hospital to assist with the influx of patients. The doctors and nurses I have met were nothing short of excellent and have given the very best of care to all in the A&E.
No one should be allowed into hospital with the flu unless they’ve been vaccinated. Ditto other preventable diseases. Anyone pissed should be heavily fined.
Awful awful hospital. And shite doctors who will discharge patients without even interacting with them and telling them what’s wrong. Great nurses though.
have your say