‘BEAT THE BURGLAR’ CAMPAIGN
Local Gardai are maintaining a highly visible presence across Cabra West following the spate of burglaries that occurred in September. Sadly quite a few homes were broken into and this has led to a more focused policing programme in the Cabra area. Community Gardai and the local Community Policing Forum have been working extremely closely in recent weeks to remind elderly residents in particular to better secure their homes against the threat of break-ins through the ‘Beat the Burglar’ campaign. There have not been any reported burglaries in recently but it is hugely important that residents remain extra vigilant and contact the Gardai about any suspicious activity in the area.
REPLACEMENT OF REILLY’S BRIDGE
Quite a few residents have spoken to me enquiring about when the new over-bridge will be constructed at Reilly’s crossing along Ratoath Road. In response to these enquiries, I have been in contact with the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar TD and the National Transport Authority (NTA) about the amount of funding available for this project. I understand that the NTA has now allocated money for this work to go ahead. The process to select a contractor to complete the construction of a new bridge has begun and as a result, it is expected that construction work will begin by early 2013.
NEW AN POST SORTING OFFICE
As you know An Post recently applied for planning permission to redevelop the old FAS building in order to build a new sorting office for the entire Dublin 7 area. This application was successful. I have contacted An Post and they have informed me that their Board has formally approved the start of construction work on this site. It is expected that the new sorting office will be open by the middle of next year.
DIT SPORTS CENTRE ON HANNAY SITE
Dublin City Council has granted permission to the Dublin Institute of Technology for plans to develop a new sports and education facility on the old Hannay site. Permission was granted earlier this month with a number of particular conditions that DIT must comply with. One of the main conditions is that the new floodlit pitches will not be used after 9pm. A comprehensive landscaping plan will have to be submitted to the City Council prior to any construction works. Other conditions attached to the planning permission relate to the restricted hours of work that the contractor selected by DIT will be permitted to work within.
SITE BESIDE CHURCH OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD
Cluid Housing Association will be shortly submitting an application for planning permission to develop the site beside the Church of the Most Precious Blood. I understand the application will include proposals to construct 43 apartments, of which there will be eight two bed units and 35 one bedroom units. The vehicular entrance to the complex will be on the northern end of the site and with parking at the front of the development. There will also be some considerable landscaping works involved and it is envisaged that construction work will begin in 2013. Let me assure you that Councillor Mary O’Shea and I will keep you informed with the specific details of the planning application when it is lodged with the City Council.
CABRA FLOOD ALLEVIATION MEASURES
Following last year’s severe flooding in which many homes were badly damaged, I have been liaising with Dublin City Council to ensure that effective flood alleviation and prevention measures are put in place. As you know swales have now been constructed on Killala Green and Drumcliffe Green to help reduce the risk of flooding in Cabra West. Some residents have expressed concern about the appearance of the swales and the amount of water currently in them. I understand that is part of the settling down process and that drainage will improve as happened with the Navan Road swales. Engineers from the Drainage Division in the City Council have also been examining proposals to alleviate the risk of flooding in East Cabra with a particular focus on the Chirst the King area. Some of the measures currently being assessed include the feasibility of laying a surface water sewer to take away flood waters from the area. Engineers are also in discussions with the RPA regarding drainage works that will be necessary as part of the LUAS Broombridge project which may also help to reduce the risk of future flooding in Cabra East. Both Councillor Mary O’Shea and I will continue to keep you fully updated of any progress made in respect of these issues.
JUNK COLLECTION IN DECEMBER
The much missed Junk Collection organised by Dublin City Council will be taking place in December. As a result of measures presented by Fine Gael Councillors last November, the junk collection has been re-instated. This will be a valuable opportunity for residents to get rid of old household items. I understand that Dublin City Council has set a date for when the collection will take place next month but that officials from the Public Domain Unit will be distributing leaflets outlining when and where the collection will be taking place.