I am a local resident writing to strongly object to Material Amendment No. 5, which proposes removing the permitted standalone pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Kildare railway line and replacing it with a pedestrian connection through Clondalkin–Fonthill Railway Station.

1. Creating a physical barrier around the neighbourhood:
This amendment is part of a wider pattern of proposed changes, including the relocation of the Grand Canal bridge under Amendment No. 2, which would leave our neighbourhood increasingly surrounded by major physical barriers such as the railway line, the Grand Canal and Fonthill Road.

Removing dedicated community crossings and replacing them with indirect routes would reduce connectivity between residential areas and essential local destinations. Rather than creating an integrated and accessible urban district, these changes risk leaving parts of the community physically isolated.

2. Increasing walking and cycling distances to planned schools:
The Clonburris SDZ masterplan includes important community infrastructure, including planned primary and post-primary schools, on sites located across the railway corridor.

The approved standalone bridge was intended to provide a direct, safe and traffic-free route for children and families travelling to these schools. Removing this crossing would require students and parents to take longer routes through the railway station area or along busier roads. This would increase daily walking and cycling distances and could create additional road safety concerns, particularly during busy school drop-off and collection periods.

3. The importance of direct and accessible active travel routes:
Major railway lines can create significant physical barriers between communities and essential local services. Urban transport and active travel guidance emphasises the importance of routes that are direct, continuous and accessible to all users.

Using a railway station as the main pedestrian connection introduces additional obstacles that would not exist with a dedicated standalone bridge. Stairs, lifts, station concourses and potentially narrow pedestrian routes can make the journey more difficult for cyclists, cargo-bike users, wheelchair users and parents with buggies. These additional barriers may discourage people from choosing walking or cycling for everyday journeys.

4. Concerns about night-time accessibility and safety:
A dedicated, open and well-lit pedestrian bridge can provide a clear and continuous route with good visibility. In contrast, directing local residents through a railway station environment may introduce areas with restricted access, enclosed spaces and reduced visibility, particularly outside normal station operating periods.

This could make the route less attractive for residents travelling on foot or by bicycle during the evening and at night.

5. Concentrating crossings around Fonthill Road:
Redirecting the railway crossing towards Clondalkin–Fonthill Railway Station would concentrate pedestrian movement close to the existing Fonthill Road (R113) vehicular bridge.

This clustering of crossings in one location would leave a significant gap along the railway corridor, meaning residents living further away from the station would not have a convenient direct connection across the railway line. A more distributed network of crossings would provide better connectivity and more practical options for local residents.

Conclusion:
A station footbridge primarily serves people accessing the railway station, whereas a dedicated standalone pedestrian and cycle bridge provides a direct connection between neighbourhoods and supports everyday journeys to schools, parks, local services and other community facilities.

For these reasons, I urge South Dublin County Council and An Coimisiún Pleanála to reject Material Amendment No. 5 and retain the approved standalone pedestrian and cycle bridge over the railway line. Maintaining this connection would help ensure that Clonburris develops as a well-connected, accessible and integrated community.