Dublin Castle installing concrete "pedestrian" defences

MadsL · 12-02-2013 12:34AM #1

http://i.imgur.com/o195cXn.jpg

What the actual fuck? Does anyone running Dublin have half a brain?

An Taisce wrote:

February 8, 2013

Re: Legal Complaint – Re: Erection of Concrete Base Structure and No. 3 Flagpoles adjacent to City Hall at Cork Hill, Dublin.

Dear Mr Worrell,

Further to our email to Michael Philips City Engineer yesterday and to our telephone conversation this afternoon we thank you for confirming that there has been no consent under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001.

The concrete structure already inserted and proposed flag pole placement is highly injurious to the setting of major protected structures namely the City Hall, main entrance to Dublin Castle and the former Newconem Bank now the Rates Office.

This is one of the city’s iconic architectural ensembles featuring in a Malton print and State Visit arrivals to Dublin Castle.

The main pediment of the City Hall has three flag poles and the Rates Office three on the portico. The insertion of flagpoles on this site is unnecessary and unjustified apart from being visually deleterious.

In addition to this the structure erected is a waste of public money.

We do not consider any claim that the work is exempt from Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 consent because of sub threshold cost of the project applies and also because of the location of the works affecting major Protected Structures.

The claim made by Paul Heffernan Media Relations and Corporate Communications, Dublin City Council, this afternoon that “the structure is to provide more protection to pedestrians on this street. City Hall is on the Dublin walk from Trinity to Kilmainham and the left turn from Parliament St can be very busy, the works therefore provide a traffic calming measure. A part 8 wasn’t necessary”, has no basis.

Traffic calming has already been achieved by the erection of the line of black bollards half way across Cork Hill and there is no need for an additional structure particularly the large lumpy intrusive concrete structure inserted.

We request that the concrete base be removed forthwith and that no further works proceed.

We are also referring the matter to the OPW and Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Yours sincerely,

Ian Lumley

Built Environment Heritage Officer,
An Taisce

P_1 · 12-02-2013 12:36AM

What the actual hell is that eyesore :eek:

I know that particular junction is a nightmare for pedestrians given some motorists not knowing what an indicator is but surely they could have put something a bit less hideous looking there.

admiralofthefleet · 12-02-2013 12:36AM

feck. the handy shortcut to clanbrassil street is gone

phoenix999 · 12-02-2013 12:39AM

On of the finest neo-Classical buildings in Dublin and they do that to it. What is the IQ of these idiots? Are they expecting a tank to come around that corner?

HeidiHeidi · 12-02-2013 12:42AM

:eek:

DebDynamite · 12-02-2013 12:43AM

MadsL wrote: »

What the actual fuck? Does anyone running Dublin have half a brain?

NO

MadsL · 12-02-2013 12:43AM

P_1 wrote: »

What the actual hell is that eyesore :eek:

I know that particular junction is a nightmare for pedestrians given some motorists not knowing what an indicator is but surely they could have put something a bit less hideous looking there.

Why not pedestrianise the street then! It could still have access for State visits and the like.

P_1 · 12-02-2013 12:46AM

MadsL wrote: »

Why not pedestrianise the street then! It could still have access for State visits and the like.

The trouble with doing that is that it'd make too much sense.

Plus now we couldn't possibly be inconveniencing the motorists in any way now either.

MadsL · 12-02-2013 12:47AM

lordmayor@dublincity.ie

https://www.facebook.com/LordMayorDublin

Feel free to make comment.

This was done with ZERO public consultation or planning permission.

Larianne · 12-02-2013 12:36PM

admiralofthefleet wrote: »

feck. the handy shortcut to clanbrassil street is gone

Cars still turn in that street (although not at the moment, something on in Dublin Castle).

Annasopra · 12-02-2013 12:55PM

Larianne wrote: »

Cars still turn in that street (although not at the moment, something on in Dublin Castle).

EU presidency

AlekSmart · 12-02-2013 01:26PM

phoenix999 wrote: »

On of the finest neo-Classical buildings in Dublin and they do that to it. What is the IQ of these idiots? Are they expecting a tank to come around that corner?

OH I dunno,Phoenix,some of them appear to be progressing quite well within "The System",irrespective of IQ (or anything else) ....;)

http://www.bordgais.ie/corporate/cat_press_release_detail.jsp?itemID=537&n=0&p=0

I shudder to think what the "Irish Standard Water Meter Housing" will resemble ...:eek:

http://www.google.ie/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&docid=eKv3SH3CgV9yfM&tbnid=6YRfjTwrGC2TDM:&ved=0CAUQjBwwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freecodesource.com%2Falbum-cover%2F61Ab-td5fbL%2FWho-Who%27s-Next.jpg&ei=bDUaUfPyNcqShgfe_ICICw&psig=AFQjCNEn5lq1YU94A-WcHzLqv5kv4FyPZw&ust=1360758508905688

Laneyh · 12-02-2013 01:43PM

MadsL wrote: »

http://i.imgur.com/o195cXn.jpg

What the actual fuck? Does anyone running Dublin have half a brain?

Unfortunately they're sharing that half brain with the people running the country. So, this is what that combined brain power comes up with.

KTRIC · 12-02-2013 01:48PM

I noticed this while they were installing dumping the concrete and wondered what it was. Its a monstrosity and completely unnecessary. Surely if there was no planning permission for it then it should be removed as an unlawful structure ??

Oink · 12-02-2013 01:50PM

MadsL wrote: »

[...] This was done with ZERO public consultation or planning permission.

What the hell is it with people and planning permissions. Are they optional or something? For fecks sake!

crockholm · 12-02-2013 01:58PM

Normal service resumed,official Ireland's distaste for historical buildings continues on it's merry way

CiaranK · 12-02-2013 01:59PM

Surely them little black and yellow poles in front of the concrete would have done the job on their own...

Laneyh · 12-02-2013 02:14PM

This EU Presidency seems to be responsible for some truly awful design/ planning.
The new logo of celtic swirls is completely unimaginative and most definitely not worth the money invested in it.

This eyesore is pathetic and doesn't even look like it will serve its purpose well.
If there is an increased security threat because of the presidency and meetings that will likely be taking place in Dublin Castle then they would need to review their security staffing.
They could also look to station mounted police there at times when key meetings are taking place.

The mounted police would be a bit of a novelty and tourist attraction in themselves.

If they need a barricade or something to block traffic they could also have been more creative about it.

There are a couple of small museums on the grounds of Dublin Castle. If they really need a blockade in that exact spot why not have something that would fit in with the surrounding a bit better -it could have advertising on it for the museums.

Better still if one existed have an old garda car parked there - again a tourist attraction of its own accord, not too hard on the eye and could be used to advertise the garda museum which is in Dublin Castle.
I realise that drunken yahoos might be a little too attracted to this but if they are caught vandalising it they should be heavily fined. As it stands the concrete slab will definitely have graffiti daubed on it

I've seen structures like this lump of concrete on streets in London around Fleet St - they serve to restrict traffic and for security but they were always on side streets not in front of historic buildings.

I suppose giving it any kind of thought would be way too much work for those involved, far better to just plonk a lump of concrete there and do no more about it

Mr Whirly · 12-02-2013 02:23PM

Cars can still turn there but now they are forced to pay attention when swinging in. It's easily the most dangerous crossing in the city centre. Not an ideal solution but better than the nonsense that was happening there.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 12-02-2013 02:25PM

I think it looks great

/I don't.

seamus · 12-02-2013 02:38PM

It looks awful in the photo, but it may look better in person. The intent is good - at that particular junction, westbound traffic on Dame Street could effectively use that as a slip road without slowing down, presenting a danger to pedestrians. This will actually force them to slow down and turn properly.

But jaysus, it looks awful in that photo. It looks like the temporary concrete dividers you'd erect during roadworks. A piece of modern art, or a little garden or something - anything - would have looked better while having the same effect.

12-02-2013 03:01PM

I feel like I'm the only one that looked at that photo and thought, "ah, they're just zombie proofing"

Larianne · 12-02-2013 05:49PM

seamus wrote: »

It looks awful in the photo, but it may look better in person. The intent is good - at that particular junction, westbound traffic on Dame Street could effectively use that as a slip road without slowing down, presenting a danger to pedestrians. This will actually force them to slow down and turn properly.

But jaysus, it looks awful in that photo. It looks like the temporary concrete dividers you'd erect during roadworks. A piece of modern art, or a little garden or something - anything - would have looked better while having the same effect.

Nope, looks like that in real life. I pass it every day on the way to college. I wondered what it was. It looks like it was a piece of concrete just dumped there. Would extending the path there, not have been a more appropriate idea?

Biggins · 12-02-2013 05:57PM

seamus wrote: »

...A piece of modern art, or a little garden or something - anything - would have looked better while having the same effect.

Exactly.
If we can spend daft money for paintings for the Dail (inc €10k for one of Bertie sitting on a chair) which very few public people will see - we can shift same amounts to better use and at least have better on a more public eye object.

suicide_circus · 12-02-2013 06:01PM

A hideous eyesore. This needs to be removed immediately. Please, everyone who cares about Dublin City, contact the authorities and complain.

markpb · 12-02-2013 06:02PM

MadsL wrote: »

lordmayor@dublincity.ie

https://www.facebook.com/LordMayorDublin

Feel free to make comment.

This was done with ZERO public consultation or planning permission.

It's worth re-posting this. If you disagree with that they did, get in touch with them!

My name is URL · 12-02-2013 06:16PM

It looks like something you'd see in Karbala to keep suicide bombers at bay.

MadsL · 12-02-2013 06:27PM

Mr Whirly wrote: »

Cars can still turn there but now they are forced to pay attention when swinging in. It's easily the most dangerous crossing in the city centre. Not an ideal solution but better than the nonsense that was happening there.

Why not pedestrianise the street? - extend the pavement - and station a couple of Irish Defence Forces squaddies in formal uniform to police a couple of pedestrian barriers to allow cars in and out. Couple of sentry boxes (painted sheds!) and remove in six month time. Then leave it pedestrian priority.

A Disgrace · 12-02-2013 06:29PM

A couple of large boxed plants would work better, and be removed when required or some chained granite bollards (preferably historic ones which I'm sure the Council have in storage somewhere) would integrate with the surroundings

I have no faith in DCC - they have picked away at this city and left it the absoulte mess that it is now.

Dublin needs a directly elected Mayor with regulatory powers. Someone with a keen interest in this city itself, and preferably a Dubliner.

MadsL · 12-02-2013 06:30PM

Couple of Councillors I emailed got this response from the Asst City Manager

Dear Councillor,

In relation to your query about the flagpoles adjacent to City Hall these are temporary works that were carried out for the purpose of traffic management aimed at increasing pedestrian safety at this location. The matter had become more urgent due to the increased volumes of traffic arising from the use of Dublin Castle during EU Presidency. The nature of the works and there purpose deemed them to be exempt from requring planning consent. As I explained they are temporary and it is intended to address the issue of pedestrian safety in a more permanent manner through the design process which will also go through a formal statutory planning procedure. I hope this clarifies the matter for you and dont hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.

Regards
Jim

Jim Keogan | Executive Manager | Planning and Economic Development

BostonB · 12-02-2013 06:36PM

What are the bollards for then?

Dublin Castle installing concrete "pedestrian" defences

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