PLANS to upgrade the Phoenix Park's main road are being opposed by local residents who say it would create an "ugly urban environment".

Navan Road residents have appealed a decision by Dublin City Council to give the green light to the project.

They also fear the plan will lead the "intrusion" of a Dublin Bus service through the park.

The council granted permission to the Office of Public Works to refurbish Chesterfield Avenue, the park's main thoroughfare and a protected structure.

Resurfacing

The work includes the resurfacing of the existing roadway and pathways and the installation of a permanent roundabout at Mountjoy Cross. Under the plan, there will also be a "pedestrian-friendly zone" in the Dublin Zoo and Parkgate Street areas of the park, while the cycle path network will be extended. The OPW carried out an environmental impact study to take account of protected structures located on the avenue.

According to the OPW, the works are needed to address the deterioration of the road because of increasing traffic volumes. It is also intended to improve road safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Residents have lodged an objection to the scheme with An Bord Pleanala.

The Navan Road Community Council had already made an objection to Dublin City Council, describing a "totally inadequate" public consultation process. They said a video presentation of the proposed works shown to them was met with "shocked silence".

"The vista shown of an urban setting of bus stops, presumably with bins, signage and various hoardings or signposts, possible double yellow lines, raised kerbs, banked edges and bollards to all grass areas, with a proliferation of parking and traffic control signs and speed cameras was horrendous to all present," the community council stated.

Intrusion

"We are most anxious that you understand the need to prevent the intrusion of a public bus service through the park," the community council added.

"Suggestions from time to time that such public surface transport be added to overcome the failure of adjoining local authorities to properly and adequately plan the growth of north-west Dublin ... is an insult to the legal protection afforded by successive Governments to this national monument."

According to the OPW's Environmental Impact Statement, "all of the proposed measures are compatible with historical and aesthetic aspects of the avenue, using only suitable materials and maintaining existing scale and proportions".

- Andrew Phelan