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The residents have proposed that the loo be moved to another location away from the entrance. Alamy

Dublin residents appeal decision to put a toilet for bus drivers at entrance of their estate

Kingston Residents’ Association say the toilet will attract graffiti and anti-social behaviour.

LAST UPDATE | 10 Jul

A PLANNING ROW has broken out between Dublin Bus and the residents of a south Dublin housing estate over a proposal to install a portable toilet for drivers near the terminus of a bus route.

Kingston Residents’ Association have lodged an appeal with An Coimisiún Pleanála over concerns that the toilet adjacent to a bus stop on Brehon Field Road, Ballinteer, Dublin 16 will become “a magnet for graffiti and anti-social behaviour”.

The’ association, which represents approximately 270 households, claims the proposed self-cleansing unisex toilet must be rejected on aesthetic grounds. 

Chairperson Ian Duckenfield said they understood Dublin Bus was considering new bus routes and timetables, and believed some new arrangement could be found “which does away with the requirement for a WC at the entrance to our estate”.

Kingston Residents’ Association said it fully appreciated that bus drivers must have proper welfare facilities but stressed that it must not be “at the expense of residents”.

It claimed sewage and electricity connections would be easier and cheaper if the toilet was located on the other side of the road as that is where buses stop at the end of a journey and drivers would not have to cross the road to access the facility.

Dublin Bus had originally proposed that the toilet would be located further east on the same side of Brehon Field Road, but planners with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council asked the company to review the location over landscaping concerns.

‘Nimbyism’

Dublin Bus said it had examined four alternative locations on Brehon Field Road to the current proposal, including near a bus stop on the other side of the road which was deemed “unsuitable” due to a lack of space as a result of a cycle path.

The company said a grass area on Kingston Drive was also discounted because of its high visual impact on residents of the estate. Dublin Bus said the proposed site was considered “the best location for the purpose”.

It added: “The closeness to the existing bus shelter contributes to reduce the visual impact notably.”

Speaking to RTÉ Radio One’s Drivetime this evening, General Secretary of public transport drivers’ union NBRU Dermot O’Leary threatened that staff would walk away from new, longer routes should toilets not be provided.

He labelled the residents’ appeal as ‘Nimbyism’, adding: “Public services work better when there’s harmony between public service users and providers.”

Asked whether the location of the toilet would disrupt that harmony, O’Leary said the public should be aware that toilets will only be placed at terminus stops where other facilities are not available.

The National Transport Authority, which is overseeing the BusConnects programme across Dublin, said a key element was a significant expansion of the bus network with new and more frequent services.

Among the expansion plans, it is understood, up to 15 staff toilets will be placed at the last stop for routes in the Limekiln, Swords, Seán Moore Road, Ballycullen, Tallaght and Citywest areas of Dublin.

Dublin Bus said a failure to deliver welfare facilities for drivers would have a negative impact on the drivers, who provide an essential public service. It also said that passengers could experience delays if there were no facilities provided. 

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said a staff toilet may be approved following a green-light from the relevant planning authorities and standards. It stressed that the facility in Ballinteer would not be publicly accessible.

With reporting by Muiris Ó Cearbhaill

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    Mute Charles Williams
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    Aug 12th 2015, 10:04 PM

    A man who has made a huge contribution to various good causes including peace, hunger, poverty,etc in various parts of the globe through the Carter Center.

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    Mute Reg
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    Aug 12th 2015, 10:07 PM

    A man who did some great work during and after his term as president. I wish him well.

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    Mute John Reese
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    Aug 12th 2015, 10:16 PM

    Best of luck in your battle jimmy

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    Mute William J Dunphy
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    Aug 12th 2015, 10:42 PM

    The greatest ever former President of the United States. A great humanitarian. God bless him the strength to battle this.

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    Mute Rashers Tierney
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    Aug 12th 2015, 11:21 PM

    Sorry to hear it. A truly decent man. Hope the treatment works out for him.

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    Mute Very fond of
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    Aug 13th 2015, 12:14 AM

    The man is 90 and probably doesn’t have much time left in this world but I wish him well and serenity in his remaining time … Vastly superior to Bush x 2 and Mr Obama

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    Mute Brída Kiely
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    Aug 13th 2015, 12:46 AM

    Amazing how opinions on Jimmy Carter vary so much. I do not know enough to say whether he was a good president although I think that he seems to be a good person. I wish him well in the time he has left. I would not wish ill on anybody no matter how much I disagree with them or their politics. It serves no useful purpose. Better to wish they have a change of heart!

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    Mute Middle Class Cork
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    Aug 13th 2015, 5:09 AM

    Carter only served 1 term as president. He was beaten in 79 by Reagan. During Carters term the Shah was deposed in Iran and Khomeini took over, from this came the Iran hostage crisis. Carter gambled with a rescue attempt, Op. Eagle Claw, which turned into a fiasco at Desert 1. This is what many people believe cost him the election. Sorry to hear about his situation, hope he pulls through.

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    Mute EB
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    Aug 12th 2015, 11:55 PM

    The worst president in history of the United States ladies and gentlemen.

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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Aug 13th 2015, 12:30 AM

    The President at the worst time for the United States.
    Where was George Bush Senior during Carters tenure?

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    Mute Middle Class Cork
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    Aug 13th 2015, 5:04 AM

    He was Director of the CIA.

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    Mute Joe Conway
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    Aug 13th 2015, 10:45 AM

    By what measure EB?

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Aug 13th 2015, 8:49 AM

    I thought he died a few years ago so technically this comes as good news.

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