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Parking and traffic in Phoenix Park

24567…52

Comments

  • #52
    ongarboy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,201 ✭✭✭ongarboy


    I visited(drove) to park for first time since lockdown last Sunday and only became aware of Chesterfield Ave not allowing parking then. However, I was able to drive in freely from Castleknock Gates with no delay. We got easy parking near Ashtown gates albeit on the grass verge where many others were parked. While it was busy along that perimeter road with walkers and cyclists in the mid afternoon, it was eerily quiet by 5pm as we returned to our car. I didn't see the traffic congestion everyone is talking about and this was a Sunday afternoon in summer.


  • #53
    Larbre34
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,357 ✭✭✭✭Larbre34


    I think its time to revert to standard Summer setup in the Park asap. Both for reasons of traffic control and returning numbers of people to the more remote areas of the Park, which itself is a vital passive security feature.

    Close the Avenue from Mountjoy roundabout to the Phoenix Monument roundabout from Friday at 7pm to Monday at 6am, for small events and socially distanced leisure.

    Re-open all eight traffic gates with alternative through route at weekends via the North Road and Ashtown.

    Reinstate parking on the verge of the Avenue all week and on the sections available during weekend hours. This is a necessary relief valve for what will be a very popular national amenity and will be required for Dublin Zoo to be viable.


  • #54
    Caranica
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,141 ✭✭✭✭Caranica


    I'd like to see Ashtown Gate closed if they can't put in a traffic management system. That junction with Blackhorse Avenue is one of the most ridiculous in the city. Right of way, what's that?


  • #55
    Larbre34
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,357 ✭✭✭✭Larbre34


    Caranica wrote: »
    I'd like to see Ashtown Gate closed if they can't put in a traffic management system. That junction with Blackhorse Avenue is one of the most ridiculous in the city. Right of way, what's that?

    Yeah it should be signal controlled like the NCR gate.


  • #56
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    I don't see why they can't make the gates wider put a wide roundabout in.

    Any signal controlled junction would make traffic worse. It makes it safer...but slower.


  • #57
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,749 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Closing Chesterfield ave to parking is brilliant, in fact they need to close the carparks to anyone not using the park. Although I don't know how, maybe use a time limit.
    It's usually full of cars using it as free parking for going to town.
    It's much better now since its only park users parking there.


  • #58
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    bubblypop wrote: »
    Closing Chesterfield ave to parking is brilliant, in fact they need to close the carparks to anyone not using the park. Although I don't know how, maybe use a time limit.
    It's usually full of cars using it as free parking for going to town.
    It's much better now since its only park users parking there.

    The problems with parking were also due to the numbers parking there using the park. As it was busy in the evening and the weekends. People parking on the grass and everywhere.

    If the problem was only commuters it would be at it's worst at 9am and it isn't. It's easy to stop them just clamp people parking longer than 3 hours on a week day.

    The fact that people using the park are having to park on the grass shows the lack of parking even now.


  • #59
    Hurrache
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,240 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    beauf wrote: »
    I don't see why they can't make the gates wider put a wide roundabout in.

    Any signal controlled junction would make traffic worse. It makes it safer...but slower.

    Demolish a historical wall and gate to cater for traffic?


  • #60
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Hurrache wrote: »
    Demolish a historical wall and gate to cater for traffic?

    They can move historical buildings.

    I'm not sure why we can't move a wall and gate. It's not like we haven't moved the other ones or knocked them down by accident previously.

    It's not for traffic. It's to facilitate better use of the park. Why not close the exit entirely and move it down to the roundabout at the race course entrance. Put a car park just inside in the entrance so people can park and walk to the visitor center, zoo, Farmleigh etc. And not have to drive all over it.

    The whole park is man made. Currently it doesn't function properly. The current exit is an accident waiting to happen. It's insanely stupid to keep using it unchanged.


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  • #61
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,749 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    beauf wrote: »
    The problems with parking were also due to the numbers parking there using the park. As it was busy in the evening and the weekends. People parking on the grass and everywhere.

    If the problem was only commuters it would be at it's worst at 9am and it isn't. It's easy to stop them just clamp people parking longer than 3 hours on a week day.

    The fact that people using the park are having to park on the grass shows the lack of parking even now.

    The car parks & Chesterfield ave are full at 9am weekday mornings. They need to limit the time for parking.
    The only people parking on grass happens at the weekends when the park users increase


  • #62
    Caranica
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,141 ✭✭✭✭Caranica


    Until recently I was seconded to an office just off O'Connell Street. Was surprised to get an "X is retiring email" which celebrated that while X lived in Meath they drove to the Phoenix Park every day and parked there and walked to work for many many years. Until then I didn't realise people did such things.


  • #63
    Hurrache
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,240 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    Man-made? Ah sure look how convenient it would be to knock Dublin Castle, Christ Church, The Four Courts and so on, shift them out of the city and replace them with carparks for the convenience of all the commuters.

    Research the history of the Phoenix Park before making any further comment as to its man madness.


  • #64
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Hurrache wrote: »
    Man-made? Ah sure look how convenient it would be to knock Dublin Castle, Christ Church, The Four Courts and so on, shift them out of the city and replace them with carparks for the convenience of all the commuters.

    Research the history of the Phoenix Park before making any further comment as to its man madness.

    Because moving a gate or creating a new one is exactly like moving a castle.

    2011
    The gate piers at the Parkgate Street entrance, which were dismantled for the 1932 Eucharistic Congress,
    have been re-erected along with the adjoining link walls

    Gates all used to have cattle grids on them. Maybe they should restore them :rolleyes:

    The Avenue lights have been modernised even electrified at times. The Popes Cross etc is are not original, the extension to the Zoo. The new hospital in Mary campus, and they've removed and then put back the roundabouts, did it once simply for the Tour De France. The "cycle" path on the north road is recent.

    They spent 800k on the gates (removing then restoring) before an after the recent Popes visits.

    But yeah lets keep using a not fit for purpose gate. Makes a lot of sense.


  • #65
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Maybe they should restore it back to this...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrtX83l65wQ

    I particularly like this one, with an "average speed" of 102mph.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C5_WnF5l8U


  • #66
    Pinch Flat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,767 ✭✭✭Pinch Flat


    Caranica wrote: »
    Until recently I was seconded to an office just off O'Connell Street. Was surprised to get an "X is retiring email" which celebrated that while X lived in Meath they drove to the Phoenix Park every day and parked there and walked to work for many many years. Until then I didn't realise people did such things.

    Could never understand this. A huge amount of free parking within walking distance of the city centre. No wonder it's chocablock in the morning with cars.


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  • #67
    hotmail.com
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,592 ✭✭✭✭hotmail.com


    Larbre34 wrote: »
    Yeah it should be signal controlled like the NCR gate.

    Then traffic will spill over into the Navan Rd creating a traffic bottleneck at the Halfway House roundabout.

    They are better off keeping that gate closed permanently.

    The Park was packed yesterday with walkers because of the good weather. It was quieter on the days mentioned here because the weather wasn't great, not because of parking.


  • #68
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    They rebuilt the N3 with what is 3-4 lanes, then narrow it to one lane at Ashtown. Yeah I know bus lane etc.

    As the stories above indicate, this traffic is coming from much further out than D15. Look at the queue into the N3/M50 in the mornings. Queues from the back roads from Lucan into Chapelizod. They further restricted traffic through Castleknock with the Lidl Junction.


  • #69
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Put tolls on all the gates. If you go in and out the same gate free. If you go in one gate and out the opposite a toll.

    If you are in the park for longer than 5 hours on a weekday, toll.

    Just clamp people parking for more than 4 hours on a weekday.

    Use all the money to subsidise the attractions that lose money.


    Of course, since you aren't allow change anything thats not possible.


  • #70
    horse7
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,769 ✭✭✭horse7


    That's not a great idea, I work in James hospital ,12 hour shifts,no parking available in the hospital,so I park the car and cycle from my car to the hospital.


  • #71
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    I assume you'd get a pass.

    ...or an eBike... ;) (Joke)


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  • #72
    Phil.x
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,746 ✭✭✭Phil.x


    Was at the zoo today and was asked by ticket inspector on arrival what mode of transport I used to get to the zoo today, she said it was for a survey.


  • #73
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Will they view the results out of context I wonder.

    Maybe they are trying to see how sustainable removing cars for all amenities in the park? Would be.


  • #74
    horse7
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,769 ✭✭✭horse7


    Also suitable for parking,there is a huge parade ground in the park with helicopter parking ,it's very secure. Garda GHQ. Polo grounds is hardly ever used and only by a few let's.


  • #75
    horse7
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,769 ✭✭✭horse7


    Also suitable for parking,there is a huge parade ground in the park with helicopter parking ,it's very secure. Garda GHQ. Polo grounds is hardly ever used and only by a few elite.


  • #76
    daymobrew
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,523 ✭✭✭daymobrew


    bubblypop wrote: »
    The car parks & Chesterfield ave are full at 9am weekday mornings. They need to limit the time for parking.
    The only people parking on grass happens at the weekends when the park users increase
    This is not true. The zoo car park does not open until 9:30am or later. The Pope's Cross car park is certainly not full at 9am if ever.

    There used to be a lot of early parking between Wellington Monument and Parkgate Street but OPW changed that stretch to a cycle lane and this pretty much eliminated that.


  • #77
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,749 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    daymobrew wrote: »
    This is not true. The zoo car park does not open until 9:30am or later. The Pope's Cross car park is certainly not full at 9am if ever.

    There used to be a lot of early parking between Wellington Monument and Parkgate Street but OPW changed that stretch to a cycle lane and this pretty much eliminated that.

    How would the car park be full if its not open? The two car parks opposite are open early & full by 9am.
    I said its a good thing that Chesterfield ave is now closed to parking considering it used to be full every day from early morn.


  • #78
    Hurrache
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,240 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    beauf wrote: »
    They rebuilt the N3 with what is 3-4 lanes, then narrow it to one lane at Ashtown. Yeah I know bus lane etc.

    As the stories above indicate, this traffic is coming from much further out than D15. Look at the queue into the N3/M50 in the mornings. Queues from the back roads from Lucan into Chapelizod. They further restricted traffic through Castleknock with the Lidl Junction.

    The solution is not to make it easier to get traffic into the city from outside of the county boundary, it's to provide better alternatives.

    There's a car park at the parkway train station, not sure how full it gets. But even if the trains are pretty full by then, they can run regular express buses into the city from there, there's a bus lane right into the city apart from a section at Cabra and into Stoneybatter.


  • #79
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    When I used to cycle it the ave would have a few cars at Castleknock end then it would have cars from the Polo grounds to the zoo. Mostly on the zoo side as that's side going into town.

    It's certainly isn't full the whole length as people like to exaggerate. I would generally be cycling between 9-9.30 so I seriously doubt there is rush of parking of commuters after that.

    On my return after 6.30 there would still be about the same numbers of cars though not as clustered more evenly spread the length of the avenue and on a nice evenings lot more cars, and the foot traffic would have increased enormously.

    Never had much of an issue with the cycle paths. But then I'm only going at a moderate pace not the high speed of the lycra brigade. Though I did upgrade my lights so I could see further at night. Specifically for the park. Especially on the parts that are unlit.

    Even at that time in the morning you see a few people obviously heading to the zoo.


  • #80
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Hurrache wrote: »
    The solution is not to make it easier to get traffic into the city from outside of the county boundary, it's to provide better alternatives.

    There's a car park at the parkway train station, not sure how full it gets. But even if the trains are pretty full by then, they can run regular express buses into the city from there, there's a bus lane right into the city apart from a section at Cabra and into Stoneybatter.

    I'm not promoting more cars and yes there's vastly more traffic than 30yrs ago. But during this time we've actually reduced the throughput of the roads that used to carry this traffic.

    The train capacity has increased something like a factor of 3 in that time. Unfortunately the demand had increased by x10.

    I've had an annual train pass for decades. Hardly used it last year and didn't renew it this year. It's miserable now so overcrowded. Also I was doing a lot secondary journeys on the way home from work which required a car. If you are going across the city it's a lot faster to drive than get public transport. (Cycling is the quickest). But this is why you won't get people to switch out of their car unless they are heavily penalised for it. For many there isn't a lot of alternatives.

    I say that as someone with far too many bicycles in the shed. I can see me moving to an eBike in the future. I'm fed up with the train.


  • #81
    polesheep
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,950 ✭✭✭polesheep


    beauf wrote: »
    I don't see why they can't make the gates wider put a wide roundabout in.

    Any signal controlled junction would make traffic worse. It makes it safer...but slower.

    I don't see why they cannot cover the entire park with tarmac. That way everyone driving to visit the park will get a parking space.


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  • #82
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    polesheep wrote: »
    I don't see why they cannot cover the entire park with tarmac. That way everyone driving to visit the park will get a parking space.

    Obviously you don't want anything changed. So the hour long tailbacks, and dangerous junctions, and parking on the grass, destroying it, will remain.

    Same extreme views with the children's hospital. Hence we now have that in the worst possible location and made it one of the most expensive hospital building projects in the world. 90% of people will travel to that in car. But there won't be any space for them either.

    Same with the park. Remove all cars, when the majority of people use car to get to it. But thats fine. Limit access to those who use public transport and those that can walk or cycle to it.


  • #83
    iamwhoiam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,155 ✭✭✭✭iamwhoiam


    Going to the Zoo tomorrow at 3:30
    Are the gates open and where can we park ? We have a young child with us who can’t walk too far . Thank you for any help


  • #84
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Can't find any official info on whats open in terms of car parks. There is no parking on the main road anyway.
    ( some have said they are parking on the grass on the north road when using the parkk :( ). Not sure a visit to the zoo is worth the potential hassle at the moment.


  • #85
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,749 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    iamwhoiam wrote: »
    Going to the Zoo tomorrow at 3:30
    Are the gates open and where can we park ? We have a young child with us who can’t walk too far . Thank you for any help

    castleknock gate & parkgate st gate are open.
    zoo carpark is open everyday, as are the other two carparks opposite.
    no hassle at all


  • #86
    polesheep
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,950 ✭✭✭polesheep


    beauf wrote: »
    Obviously you don't want anything changed. So the hour long tailbacks, and dangerous junctions, and parking on the grass, destroying it, will remain.

    Same extreme views with the children's hospital. Hence we now have that in the worst possible location and made it one of the most expensive hospital building projects in the world. 90% of people will travel to that in car. But there won't be any space for them either.

    Same with the park. Remove all cars, when the majority of people use car to get to it. But thats fine. Limit access to those who use public transport and those that can walk or cycle to it.

    Not true. I would like to see changes made that reduce the number of cars in the park. I say this as someone for whom not being able to drive through the park will become a PITA. It's a park not a carpark. I'm reminded of Dollymount beach where people turned the beach into a carpark and thereby removed the amenity of a beach. It defied logic.


  • #87
    horse7
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,769 ✭✭✭horse7


    It would be better to have more carparks there so people could enjoy the park. It's not 1660 any more, we have to move with the times.


  • #88
    polesheep
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,950 ✭✭✭polesheep


    horse7 wrote: »
    It would be better to have more carparks there so people could enjoy the park. It's not 1660 any more, we have to move with the times.

    Surely you can see that more carparks in the park means less park?


  • #89
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    polesheep wrote: »
    Not true. I would like to see changes made that reduce the number of cars in the park. I say this as someone for whom not being able to drive through the park will become a PITA. It's a park not a carpark. I'm reminded of Dollymount beach where people turned the beach into a carpark and thereby removed the amenity of a beach. It defied logic.

    Except AFAIK you can park on bull Island. On Causeway road. There's even a golf course on it. With parking.

    https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.3697732,-6.1487581,3a,75y,320.41h,72.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYk7ul1wTsYqNGn3pPaDsBg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

    https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.3750808,-6.1378664,3a,90y,342.82h,73.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCVrPU-qH3UAkkOVhTCbOXA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

    Also it doesn't go anywhere so not a transport link 9 million car journeys.
    Its doesn't have 10 million visitors. The Zoo alone is Irelands 3rd most popular Visitor attraction with 1.3 million.
    Garda headquarters, Hospital and nursing homes. Etc.

    Do people want to ban cars from Causeway road or the Golf course?

    So exactly the same.


  • #90
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    I think its worth a try. Block all cars for 6 months. Let us know how it works out.


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  • #91
    horse7
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,769 ✭✭✭horse7


    polesheep wrote: »
    Surely you can see that more carparks in the park means less park?

    There's 1747 acres in the park ,I think we can afford a few for car parks and let more people enjoy it. Aras an Uachtarain had 160 acres for 2 people, you could park the whole country in it.


  • #92
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    horse7 wrote: »
    There's 1747 acres in the park ,I think we can afford a few for car parks and let more people enjoy it.

    I think you are missing the point. They don't want to change ANYTHING.

    Other than ban all cars. ALL of them. Evil devices.


  • #93
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,749 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    horse7 wrote: »
    There's 1747 acres in the park ,I think we can afford a few for car parks and let more people enjoy it.

    There is already plenty of carparking space in the park. No need for more.


  • #94
    Pat Dunne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,005 ✭✭✭Pat Dunne


    bubblypop wrote: »
    There is already plenty of carparking space in the park. No need for more.

    Where exactly is this car parking space you refer to?


  • #95
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    On the grass mainly...


  • #96
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,749 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    there are car parking spaces at
    Lords walk carpark
    beside the Army sports ground
    beside the cricket pitch
    beside the Polo club
    at the popes cross, and also across the road from there
    in the visitors centre
    in Farmleigh
    along Military road
    beside the soccer changing rooms
    off the Upper Glen road
    inside the Knokmaroon gate
    along Furze road

    Only lazy drivers park on the grass. Their cars should be towed when they do.


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  • #97
    Pat Dunne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,005 ✭✭✭Pat Dunne


    bubblypop wrote: »
    there are car parking spaces at
    Lords walk carpark
    beside the Army sports ground
    beside the cricket pitch
    beside the Polo club
    at the popes cross, and also across the road from there
    in the visitors centre
    in Farmleigh
    along Military road
    beside the soccer changing rooms
    off the Upper Glen road
    inside the Knokmaroon gate
    along Furze road
    Only lazy drivers park on the grass. Their cars should be towed when they do.
    And what brings you to the conclusion that this is sufficient capacity?


  • #98
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,749 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Pat Dunne wrote: »
    And what makes you draw the conclusion that this is sufficient capacity?

    because I am in the Park every day, and I can see that even when drivers park on the grass in one place, there are still car parking places available in different parts of the park.


  • #99
    Pat Dunne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,005 ✭✭✭Pat Dunne


    bubblypop wrote: »
    because I am in the Park every day, and I can see that even when drivers park on the grass in one place, there are still car parking places available in different parts of the park.

    Ah so it Parking Management more than parking capacity that is your concern.


  • #100
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,749 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Pat Dunne wrote: »
    Ah so it Parking Management more than parking capacity that is your concern.

    the capacity is clearly there


  • #101
    zerosugarbuzz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,224 ✭✭✭zerosugarbuzz


    Are the gates open yet?


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