Clare County Development Plan 2023–2029 (as varied)

1. Page 241

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   __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy 11.0 Introduction The provision of a high quality infrastructure in County Clare is critical to the county’s socioeconomic development. Due to the favourable position of County Clare on the western seaboard with significant potential for energy generation, an international airport, deep water estuary, railway and high quality motorway, national, regional, and local road networks, the county has a significant advantage within the Southern Region. These advantages must be progressed in tandem with the sustainable management and development of other essential infrastructure such as water services, waste management facilities and telecommunications infrastructure. By facilitating, coordinating, and encouraging the development of a wide range of high quality physical infrastructure, Clare County Council plays a central role in sustainable development, climate adaptation and mitigation, and the improvement in the quality of life and economic competitiveness of the County and Region. 11.1 Strategic Aims This chapter presents the objectives for the provision of physical infrastructure for the existing and future population of County Clare, in accordance with the overall vision of the plan. These objectives are based on the following strategic aims: • To provide a safe, integrated, efficient and sustainable network of transport to serve the needs of people, goods and services travelling to and within County Clare; • To promote and encourage the use of alternative sustainable modes of transport; • To safeguard the strategic transport function of the motorway and national road network and associated junctions in order to cater for the safe and efficient movement of inter-urban and inter-regional traffic; • To facilitate a reduction in CO2 emissions from transport in line with the National Climate Action Plan; • To protect, improve and conserve the county’s water resources to meet the requirements of the River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018-2021 and any subsequent revisions or updates to this plan; • To encourage and promote the benefits of the reuse and recycling of waste and to enable the provision of appropriate waste management facilities throughout the county237

2. Page 242

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   __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy in accordance with the upcoming National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy which will be the successor to the Southern Region Waste Management Plan 2015-2021; • To reduce County Clare’s dependence on imported fuels and to provide alternative energy sources by harnessing the county’s potential for renewable energy sources; • To ensure security of energy supply throughout the county; and, • To promote and facilitate the provision and continued development of broadband and ICT infrastructure to further enhance social and economic development, particularly in the more peripheral areas of County Clare. 11.2 Access and Movement 11.2.1 Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy Transport is vital to the functioning of economic activities and a key to ensuring social wellbeing and cohesion of populations. Transport ensures the everyday mobility of people and is crucial to the production and distribution of goods. Sustainable transport is central to efforts to control greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and environmental damage. The benefits of sustainable transport however extend beyond environmental considerations, delivering improvements in congestion, productivity, health and quality of life. The integration of planning, land use and transportation is an essential component of identifying the optimum location of future development, encouraging the use of sustainable transport options and moving towards the development of a low carbon society. The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region sets out the regional development framework and infrastructure priorities to 2040 with the primary aim of implementing Project Ireland 2040: The National Planning Framework at regional level. Development Plan Objective: Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy CDP 11.1 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To facilitate, support, seek funding for and invest in the infrastructure projects identified in the RSES throughout the lifetime of this plan; and, b) To prioritise investment in and delivery of comprehensive infrastructure packages that address infrastructure deficits and meet growth targets that prioritise the delivery of compact growth and sustainable mobility as per the NPF and RSES objectives.238

3. Page 243

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   __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy 11.2.2 Integrated Land Use and Transport Planning In order to promote public transport, walking and cycling across the county, it is the intention of the Council to: • Consolidate development into town and village centres in accordance with the 10 Minute Town concept; • Consolidate development around existing and proposed public transport services and facilities; • Increase densities in future residential and employment developments; • Prioritise mixed-use development which reduce the need to travel; • Ensure that all new development areas will be fully permeable for pedestrians and cyclists through the application of the principle of filtered permeability whereby through traffic by private car is discouraged; • Deliver schemes to improve permeability for walking and cycling in existing developed areas; and, • Ensure that the layout of new developments will prioritise walking and cycling and enable the efficient provision of public transport services. In its promotion of integrated land use and transportation planning, the Council will seek to implement the following national policy documents: • The National Investment Framework for Transport Investment (Department of Transport); • The Five Cities Demand Management Study (insofar as it relates to that part of Clare within the LSMA); • The National Sustainable Mobility Policy (Department of Transport) which sets out a strategic framework to 2030 for active travel (walking and cycling) and public transport journeys to help Ireland meet its climate obligations. It is accompanied by an action plan to 2025 which contains actions to improve and expand sustainable mobility options across the country by providing safe, green, accessible and efficient alternatives to car journeys, as well as demand management and behavioural change measures to manage daily travel demand more efficiently and to reduce the journeys taken by private car. The following table provides a baseline of the travel mode share for each settlement. The data shows the Mode Share of all persons commuting to Work and Education from residential origin points in Ennis (Key Town) Shannon (Metropolitan Town) and the Service Towns of Scarriff/Tuamgraney, Ennistymon/Lahinch and Kilrush. The source of the data is the CSO POWSCAR database which is derived from the Census of 2016.239

4. Page 244

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   __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy Table 11.1: Travel Mode Share by Settlement (2016 Baseline). Source: CSO POWSCAR, NTA, Clare County Council. Development Plan Objective: Transport Planning CDP 11.2 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) That the overarching goal of transport planning in county Clare is to reduce car dependency and reduce emissions; b) To promote steady State investment to maintain and upgrade the existing road, rail and bus networks to provide a quality service to transport users; c) To implement initiatives under the Department of Transport to reduce congestion in urban areas primarily by enhancing sustainable travel options through traffic management, bus priority, urban cycling and urban walking routes; d) To support the reduction in the use of fossil fuels for public transport and increasing use of technology and green energy sources to pursue low emission public transport fleets which is being pursued by the NTA as part of its fleet investment programme; Walk Cycle *Public Transport Car Car Passenger **Other Modes Ennis All trips % 14.6 1.8 4.9 52.0 23.4 3.3 Work Trips % 10.4 2.0 2.0 74.8 6.1 4.8 Edu Trips % 22.9 1.4 10.6 6.7 57.9 0.4 Shannon All trips % 23.7 3.0 5.8 47.1 17.9 2.5 Work Trips % 11.8 2.5 3.7 68.8 9.4 3.8 Edu Trips % 45.4 3.8 9.7 7.5 33.5 0.2 Scarriff- Tuamgraney All trips % 20.0 0.5 2.4 46.3 25.1 5.6 Work Trips % 9.3 0.0 0.4 74.1 7.6 8.5 Edu Trips % 36.2 1.3 5.5 3.9 51.8 1.3 Ennistymon- Lahinch All trips % 16.4 1.0 2.8 49.5 24.7 5.5 Work Trips % 11.8 1.3 1.3 71.0 6.4 8.2 Edu Trips % 25.5 0.4 5.6 7.7 60.4 0.4 Kilrush All trips % 23.2 2.1 4.4 42.0 21.6 6.8 Work Trips % 17.3 2.9 0.7 63.1 5.6 10.4 Edu Trips % 32.7 0.7 10.3 8.0 47.2 1.1 **Other Modes Includes Motorbike,Van, HGV*Public Transport Includes Bus and Train Settlement240

5. Page 245

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   __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy e) To facilitate the expansion of the bus network by the NTA under initiatives such as Limerick BusConnects, Connecting Ireland and TFI Local Link Limerick Clare; f) To support the implementation of Park and Ride initiatives in accordance with LSMATS; g) To oversee investment in cycling and walking networks within all settlements, with an emphasis on providing for trips to school and retail services; h) To support the development of sustainable water transportation services for the Shannon Estuary in accordance with SIFP Objectives SIFP TPT 1.5, 1.7 and 1.8 contained in Volume 9 of the plan; (i) To prepare a county-wide traffic and transport management plan during the lifetime of the plan, and j) To ensure development is being delivered in compliance with the environmental requirements of objectives CDP 11.17 and CDP 3.3. 11.2.3 Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (LSMATS) and Local Transport Planning The NPF envisages that the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area (LSMA) will become the growth engine of the Mid-West Region with projected growth of at least 50% during the period up to 2040. This projected population, employment and education growth brings with it opportunities for the development of the LSMA. The Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy 2040 (LSMATS) will deliver a high quality, accessible, integrated and more sustainable transport network that supports the role of the LSMA as the major growth engine of the Mid-West Region. This will enable the LSMA to be internationally competitive as a European city region and to act as a main international entry point to the Atlantic Economic Corridor. Local transport plans give local expression to the RSES regional level transport strategy in accordance with the requirements of RPO 157. A Local Transport Plan (including mobility management) will be prepared for a number of towns and villages across County Clare, including Ennis, within the lifetime of this plan.241

6. Page 246

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   __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy Development Plan Objective: Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy and Local Transport Planning CDP 11.3 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To implement the measures contained within the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy in accordance with the implementation plan set out in the LSMATS document; b) To implement a local transport plan for Ennis, Shannon, Sixmilebridge, Kilkee, Kilrush, Lahinch, Corofin and Tulla during the lifetime of this development plan; c) That the Local Transport Plans will be prepared in accordance with the TII/NTA Area Based Transport Assessment (ABTA) Guidance; d) That the findings and recommendations of any Local Transport Plans, undertaken in accordance with ABTA, will be incorporated into the preparation of the statutory local area plans, where relevant; (e) To prepare a North Clare Traffic Management Plan during the lifetime of the plan, and, f) To work in close co-operation with Technical University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest and the Endurance European Network. 11.2.4 Active Travel Towns Programme The Active Travel Towns programme aims to support sustainable and active travel by: • Creating safer walking and cycling routes through the provision of high quality infrastructure; • Reducing the need for short distance car journeys; and, • Providing sustainable links to schools, colleges, places of employment, amenity, and leisure facilities. Ennis has been designated as an Active Travel Town and has been awarded funding to implement a number of schemes to support sustainable travel in the County Town.242

7. Page 247

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   __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy Development Plan Objective: Active Travel Towns CDP 11.4 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To implement an Active Travel Towns Programme in the Ennis area during the lifetime of this plan; b) To pursue opportunities for additional funding that may arise, for Ennis and other towns in the county, and, c) To support and facilitate the National Transport Authority in the implementation of the Active Travel Programme in County Clare. 11.2.5 Walking and Cycling Cycling and walking present real opportunities to reduce the use of the private car and reduce greenhouse gases whilst also providing a healthier alternative to the car. The implementation of the LSMATS, local transport plan(s), the Active Travel Towns programmes, and the Safe Routes to School programmes will enhance walking and cycling and the Council will endeavour to encourage these activities through the integration of land use and transport planning, increased permeability, the provision of bicycle lanes, the creation of pedestrianfriendly zones, pedestrian crossings, dished footpaths, public lighting and the implementation of the 10 Minute Town concept. The Southern Regional Assembly has carried out an assessment of a number of settlements across the region including Ennis and prepared a ‘10 Minute Town’ concept report 10 Minute Towns: Accessibility & Framework Report (July 2020). This report will inform the roll out of this concept in County Clare and within the region. Where possible, the Council will seek to incorporate pedestrian and cycle friendly features into road improvement works and where appropriate, on new roads. International trends suggest that the walking and cycling sectors of the tourism economy have the potential to grow considerably during the lifetime of the plan and County Clare is ideally placed through projects such as the Killaloe to Scarriff amenity path to benefit from this trend. Long distance cycling routes for both recreational and transport purposes, such as the West Clare Railway Greenway and the Euro Velo Route are supported by Clare County Council and the Council will facilitate and support the development of these and other such routes. The Council will also have regard to Cycling Ireland’s Strategic Plan 2020-2024 in the consideration of cycling proposals in the county. Development Plan Objective: Walking and Cycling CDP 11.5 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To require walkability and accessibility to be a central consideration in the planning and design of all new developments, transport infrastructure and public transport services;243

8. Page 248

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   __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy b) To facilitate and support the delivery of a safe, accessible and convenient cycle network and environment across the county and in the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area as set out in the Cycle Network Plans for Shannon and Limerick contained in the LSMATS; c) To support the development and enhancement of longdistance cycling routes in County Clare, in accordance with the Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways; d) To safeguard, where feasible, the route of the old West Clare Railway which has not been affected by existing development and to encourage its use for recreational purposes and/or as part of a tourist attraction. Exceptions to this include short sections within the curtilage of residential or commercial property; e) To provide for cycling trips for people of all ages and abilities from residential areas to town centres, employment centres and school locations, in line with the National Cycle Manual; f) To support the development of new accessible walking routes and trails throughout the county; g) To support and promote initiatives such as Park and Stride, Green Schools Travel and Safe Routes to School Programmes and the concept of having safe routes to school; h) To support the enhancement of permeability, footpaths and the provision of safe crossing points in the towns and villages of the county; i) To support the creation of a safer environment for cyclists and signposted 'quiet routes' off the arterial roads which include speed limit reviews and junction redesigns where appropriate; j) To require significant walking and cycling route proposals to provide a Quality Audit, as referred to in the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets; and, k) To ensure the development, enhancement, safeguarding of all walking and cycling routes are in compliance with the environmental requirements of Objective CDP 3.3. 11.2.6 Public Transport Rail Network The development of the Western Rail Corridor is important in terms of enhancing the economic and social development of the region thus achieving balanced regional development. The Council will therefore support land use policies, future development244

9. Page 249

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   __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy proposals and transportation strategies that ensure the viability of a rail service between centres of population. Development Plan Objective: Rail Network CDP 11.6 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support and facilitate the maintenance, improvement and strengthening of rail infrastructure and services and the provision of multi-modal transport interconnection facilities subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the outcome of the planning process; b) To support and facilitate the opening/reinstatement of railway stations on the Western Railway Corridor within County Clare and in particular at Crusheen, in line with feasibility studies undertaken on the basis of forecast demand and according to the investment priorities of Iarnród Éireann and the National Transport Authority; c) To protect lands adjacent to rail stations against encroachment by inappropriate uses that could compromise the long-term development of the rail infrastructure; d) To identify and safeguard land required for the development of rail infrastructure including bridges, stations, goods terminals, weather proofed facilities and areas necessary for the development of the rail infrastructure in the county; e) To work with Iarnród Éireann and other interested parties to find a resolution of the issue of periodic flooding of the Ennis to Limerick railway line in order to sustain year-round rail services from Ennis to Limerick City; and, f) To ensure that all proposed developments are in accordance with the requirements of Objective CDP 3.3. Shannon Rail Link An Infrastructure Safeguard (Rail) for the Shannon rail link is identified in the plan in line with the Shannon Rail Link Feasibility Study. A rail link to Shannon International Airport is supported by Government policy as set out in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021- 2030, and in the infrastructural requirements as identified in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Southern Region. Linking Shannon International Airport to the national rail network would enhance national and regional connectivity, which is a key strategic objective of the National Planning Framework (NPF). Clare County Council will work in conjunction with the NTA, Iarnród Éireann and other relevant stakeholders to carry out a review of the existing feasibility study as it applies to the Shannon Rail Link infrastructural safeguard extending from the existing Limerick-Galway245

10. Page 250

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    __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy railway line to Shannon International Airport. This review will include a route assessment to identify a preferred alignment for a potential rail line serving Shannon International Airport, Shannon Free Zone and Shannon town. The N19 National Road and the infrastructure safeguard of the proposed Shannon rail link are located in close proximity. The delivery of the N19 National Road upgrade is a priority of Clare County Council and should take precedence over other infrastructural projects along its route delivering on the significant exchequer investment already made in scheme planning and design. The LSMATS includes for a rail link from Limerick to Shannon town, the Shannon Free Zone and Shannon International Airport as part of its proposed Limerick Commuter Rail Network (Phase 2). Having regard to the provisions of the NDP, NPF, RSES and LSMATS above, linking Shannon International Airport by rail to the existing Ennis-Limerick line is envisaged as a component of both a Limerick Commuter Rail Network and as part of the national rail network. The county development plan is required to give effect to national and regional level plans and strategies such as those mentioned. Development Plan Objective: Shannon Rail Link CDP 11.7 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To work in conjunction with the NTA, Iarnród Éireann and other relevant stakeholders to carry out a review of the existing feasibility study as it applies to the Shannon Rail Link infrastructure safeguard extending from the existing Limerick-Galway railway line to Shannon International Airport taking account of and being informed by the proposals contained within LSMATS to facilitate a commuter rail network for the Limerick - Shannon Metropolitan Area and by the N19 National Road upgrade; and, b) To facilitate a proposed Shannon Rail Link which does not inhibit the N19 National Road upgrade. Bus Transport Bus transport forms a fundamental element of the overall public transport infrastructure linking the towns of Ennis and Shannon with Limerick City and beyond by means of a frequent, high quality service. Bus services in the county have been improved significantly with the provision of an hourly, private bus service between Ennis and Dublin via Limerick to complement the existing Bus Éireann regional and local services. The development of a dedicated coach park in close proximity to Ennis town centre has added to transport facilities in the town and contributed to ease of travel. Services in County Clare would be greatly enhanced by the increased provision of bus services between Ennis, Shannon and the service towns of Ennistymon/Lahinch, Kilrush and Scarriff/Tuamgraney. This would assist in delivering a strong regional public transport network.246

Source Clare County Council: Clare County Development Plan 2023–2029 (as varied) (2023–2029) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.