dublinbikes
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dublinbikes & Innovation
It’s been a hectic few weeks in the Mansion House & it doesn’t show any sign of slowing down. In fact I’ve been informed it gets busier as we get closer to Christmas. I am enjoying every aspect of the job of Lord Mayor, even the challenges!
I received great news regarding dublinbikes last week – a new daily record for journeys taken was set. dublinbikes’ members took 7,052 journeys on Thursday 13th October, marking another milestone in dublinbikes’ incredible success. There are now 550 bikes in the scheme. It shows once again the demand for the scheme and for cycling in the city. When we first launched the scheme in 2009 there was a lot of worry that it did would not work. dublinbikes is now one of the most successful schemes in the world and we are planning to increase the number of bikes from 500 to 5,000 in the next five years. Between now and 5pm on 26th October you can give your views on dublinbikes and its proposed expansion. The survey can be found at www.delve-surveys.com/dublinbikes & you are in with a chance of winning an Ipad2 on completion!
Up the Dubs!
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What a great weekend for Irish sport! Not only did the rugby boys do us proud against Australia on Saturday, but yesterday the boys in blue were victorious, beating Kerry in a nail-biting finish. Dublin has waited 16 years for the Sam Maguire to return and no doubt we will enjoy every moment. Congratulations to Pat Gilroy, Bryan Cullen and all the players.
I hope everyone will come out and welcome home the Dublin team and Sam Maguire tomorrow evening in Merrion Square. The event starts at 7.00p.m., with access from 6.00p.m. Access via Merrion Square East, Merrion Square South and Fitzwilliam Street Lower. See you there!
Officially opening the Community Garden
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Lord Mayor’s East Africa Emergency Appeal - Pictured here are Jim Clarken, CEO of Oxfam Ireland, Frances O’Keeffe, Secretary Concern, Lord Mayor Andrew Montague and Justin Kilcullen, Director of Trocaire.
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East Africa Emergency Appeal
Today in the Mansion House I held a Press Launch asking people to donate 1 hour of their salary to The Lord Mayor’s East Africa Emergency Appeal. Read the press release below for further details.
TCD Science Gallery
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My First Few Weeks as Lord Mayor
I’ve been very busy over the last 3 weeks since my election as Lord Mayor, but I’m enjoying every moment.
One of the themes of my year in office is ‘anti-social behaviour’. On Tuesday I met with Seán Alyward, Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality. I wanted the chance to speak with Seán prior to his retirement next week. He was very supportive of my plans to hold a conference on this subject and he encouraged me to look to other cities who have struggled with anti-social behaviour issues in the past. I will keep you informed of any developments.
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Report on Litter Management in Artane/Whitehall
Here is the report issued to the North Central Area Committee for March 2010:
A key objective of the Area office is to ensure a consistently high standard of cleanliness throughout the area and to promote and encourage prevention, reuse and recycling of waste and the management of litter.
To facilitate the achievement of litter preservation and control, the Area office works closely with the Waste Management Division, and the Area has its own locally managed designated resources.
The Waste Management Division operates weekly bin collections from 39, 564 households and disposes of 130 ton (est.) of domestic waste daily. A Waste management vehicle to clean any litter arising from the roads and footpaths immediately follows each collection route.
30Kph in Dublin's City Centre
At the monthly meeting of Dublin City Council, on 1st March 2010 the Labour Group proposed that parts of the 30kph zone on the quays, on Winetavern Street and on Kildare Street should undergo a fresh round of public consultation.
A majority of councillors supported the proposal - 22 councillors voted in favour and 20 voted against. However, a total of 26 votes was needed in order to start the public consultation.A motion by Cllr by Bill Tormey to have the 30kph zone removed was defeated by 28 votes to 12. So the 30kph zone will stay as it is for six months. The Council will then review the speed limit.
Andrew at the Count, photo by Matt Kavanagh, Irish Times
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Successful Campaign for Artane/Whitehall council seat
I'm thrilled to be elected again for the Artane/Whitehall Ward. I received 2535 votes and took the second seat. Thank you to everyone that supported me. I'm honoured that so many people put their trust in me and were prepared to vote for me.
I also want to thank my fantastic campaign team. Over 50 friends, supporters and family members came out and canvassed, leafleted and put up posters for me. It means a lot to me that you believed in me and were prepared to come out and work on my behalf.
Four other councillors were elected in the ward:
- Paddy Bourke (Labour)
- Larry O'Toole (Sinn Féin)
- Declan Flanagan (Fine Gael)
- Julia Carmichael (Fianna Fáil).
Read more on Andrew Montague Elected for the Artane-Whitehall Ward
Santry Cross Apartments
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Successful Apartment Living in Dublin and across Ireland
19th February 2009
Apartment living has become commonplace in the last 10 years in Dublin and many issues have arisen for those living in apartments that require urgent attention. The most frequent complaints that I receive from people living in apartments relate to Management Companies and Management Agencies. Residents are often frustrated with the high cost of management fees, together with poor service quality and a complete lack of control for the residents.
The Law Reform Commission highlighted the following problems within some (but not all) apartment complexes:
- A general and widespread lack of transparency (and an understanding deficit) about the appropriate roles of those involved in apartment developments, including developers, unit owners (as members of owners’ management companies) and property managing agents;
- Developers holding onto effective control of apartment owners’ management companies even after virtually all apartments have been sold;
- Property managing agents having too much administrative control over owners’ management companies, causing confusion over their different functions;
- Annual general meetings of owners’ management companies being organised at short notice and at inconvenient times and locations;
- Increasing annual service charges not being properly explained and, therefore, not being paid by unit owners, leading to running-down of some apartment complexes;
- No long-term building investment fund (sinking fund) for apartment complexes;
- Apartment developments not being taken in charge by local authorities;
- Lack of clear arrangements for rescuing apartment complexes in trouble.
Dublin City Council has conducted research into the issues facing people living in apartments and it has produced a new Report on Apartment Management. This document is well worth reading for anyone living in an apartment, or planning to move into an apartment.
More valuable information can be found on Apartment Owners' Forum website
Read more on Successful Apartment Living in Dublin and across Ireland
College Green, Dublin
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Bus Gate for College Green, Dublin
2nd March 2009
Dublin City Council is proposing a "Bus Gate" for College Green, essentially banning private cars from the area, allowing only buses, taxis and bikes around the entrance to Trinity College. City Centre Traders have lobbied hard against this proposal arguing the proposal will have an adverse impact on their income.
It is essential during this economic crisis that the City Council does nothing to undermine business in the City Centre and the Transport Committee of which I'm a member has quite rightly requested an economic impact analysis of the proposal. However, I believe this proposal will increase trade to this area of town. We have learned over many years that where bus lanes have been introduced, footfall increases - even when cars are restricted. This makes sense. One bus can carry over a hundred passengers, whereas a car can only carry five. A typical bus lane will carry five thousand people per hour, while a typical car lane will transport one thousand per hour.
Access to this location is already severely restricted for private cars. Cars are not allowed access from Pearse Street to College Green and restrictions on O'Connell Street, mean very few cars can can get to College Green from D'Olier Street. Heading in the opposite direction, the right turn ban from George's Street on to Dame Street mean that very few cars can get on to Westmoreland Street. So this new proposal will not have as dramatic an effect as many believe. But it will improve journey times. Anyone travelling on a bus on O'Connell Street heading south towards College Green will know the delays on this street. Improving the traffic flow at College Green will lead to improvements on O'Connell Street. This will encourage more people to use the bus which in turn will lead to a bigger footfall than would otherwise occur.
