Development plan · Galway City Council
Galway City Development Plan 2023–2029
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Galway City Council · 2023–2029 · 386 pages
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- Sustainable Mobility and TransportationIn areas outside the City Centre core, emphasis will be given to increased permeability within suburban residential areas, improving pedestrian networks, making them safer and maximizing pedestrian accessibility to the public transport network. Increasing connectivity and permeability within and close to places of employment, education, commercial hubs and other key destinations is also of critical importance. The principals of the National Transport Authority’s Permeability Best Practice Guide (2015) will be adhered to in an effort to improve connectivity within all areas, especially within neighbourhoods to local amenities. Permeability will be promoted where suitable in accordance with the NTA guidelines in future developments and endeavors made to improve and retain such connectivity within existing developments. Safe Routes to School Galway City Council is currently progressing a number of ‘School Zones’, as part of the national Safe Routes to School programme, managed by An Taisce Green-Schools. The programme includes measures to create safer walking and cycling routes on key access routes to schools, to provide “front of school” treatments which will enhance access to school grounds and to expand the amount of bike parking available at schools. Designs progressed at selected schools will be in line with the National Transport Authority Safe Routes to School Design Guidance (July 2021), and other adjacent schemes in the GTS, such as Cycle Network and BusConnects routes. In line with this approach, Galway City Council initiated a pilot School Streets project in 2020 at Scoil Iognáid, Raleigh Row which proved successful. This area operates as a ‘School Street’ a road outside a school with a temporary restriction on motorised traffic at school drop-off and pick-up times - creating a calm, safe, space for children, parents and residents to walk, scoot or cycle. Pending publication of the final report on the pilot, it is anticipated that the School Street will be made permanent in this location. Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 107
- Sustainable Mobility and TransportationPolicy 4.4 Sustainable Mobility - Walk and Cycle 1. Support the Galway Transport Strategy proposals for a primary cycle network to facilitate safe and convenient medium distance journeys. 2. Support the Galway Transport Strategy proposals for a secondary cycle network and feeder links to facilitate safe and convenient local journeys and to afford linkage into the primary cycle network. 3. Support the National Greenway Strategy and proposed Greenways as part of the primary cycle network and as part of links to Bearna, Oranmore, Maigh Cuilinn and Oughterard. 4. Implement a structured programme of improvements across the whole city pedestrian network and at street crossings. 5. Facilitate cycling on the proposed Bus Connects Galway Routes where appropriate including on the proposed Cross-City Link. 6. Support and promote initiatives such as Park and Stride, Green Schools Travel and Safe Routes to School Programmes, School Streets and the concept of having safe routes to school. 7. Improve bicycle parking at key destinations and near bus stops /interchanges. 8. Promote, facilitate and maintain maximum connectivity and permeability for pedestrians and cyclists in the design and management of new public and private projects and in upgrading and retrofitting existing developments in accordance with the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (2019) and Permeability a Best Practice Guide, NTA (2015). 9. Ensure facilities for pedestrians and cyclists are designed in accordance with national standards. 10. Promote the implementation of a Wayfinding Scheme with provision of directional information and signage at appropriate locations across the city as part of the implementation of the Public Realm Strategy. 11. Promote and facilitate the development of Public Bike/other share schemes across the city. 12. Any active-travel intervention on a road or street which requires people cycling to share the same lane with general motor-traffic, should also ensure that such roads or streets are designed and managed to create the appropriate environment as per guidance in the National Cycling Manual on “Shared/Mixed Streets 108 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029
- Sustainable Mobility and Transportation4.5 Transport Demand Management Measures Transport Demand Management (TDM) is a policy approach for solving growth and traffic congestion, it attempts to influence people’s travel behaviour rather than seeking to provide more physical capacity for travel in such a way that alternative mobility options are presented and the benefits of a reduction in greenhouse gases are pursued. There are a choice of actions which can be activated to effect travel demand patterns, the suitability of which depend on the area. These include: • Reduction in vehicle use, in particular, to reduce the amount of car travel • Increase in vehicle occupancy to reduce the amount of single occupancy car trips and increase car occupancy • Increase in travel by alternative modes - this includes measures to encourage public transport use, walking and cycling in preference to car use • Trip re-timing which can encourage travel at less congested times • Offering alternative destinations - to encourage travel to destinations that are closer, and that lead to less overall congestion • Reduction in trip length - by planning for the provision of employment, retail and other services close to where people live • Trip reduction - to reduce the need to travel and thereby reduce overall travel • Encouragement of tele-working, E-government, electronic shopping, congestion and parking pricing • Preferential treatment of public transport over the private car • Fiscal Measures to include public transport fare subsidies, cycle to work schemes and TaxSaver schemes. The specific approach in the GTS outlines a number of demand management measures aimed at shifting the focus of travel within the city centre to walking, cycling and public transport, which will reduce traffic congestion, Green Gas Emissions (GGE’s) and the demand for car parking. These demand management measures align with the Core Strategy in including for emphasis on regeneration and concentrating the focus for future development in brownfield sites in the city centre. They also include for restricting traffic from certain streets, removing a large proportion of on-street parking in the city centre, controlling the availability and cost of parking in the city centre and giving priority to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. They also aim to influence travel patterns by putting an onus on large employers to develop mobility management plans including and encouraging sustainable travel options. In addition the GTS promotes the reduction in car parking standards for new developments that are located close to public transport corridors. The Five Cities Demand Management Study identifies transport demand drivers, and assesses the suitability of measures to reduce demand in Ireland’s five largest urban centres - Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick, and Galway. The recommendations from this report included that opportunities may arise in the future in Galway with the delivery of enhanced public transport and park and ride facilities as envisaged in the Galway Transport Strategy. The Study provides a focused and evidence-based approach to addressing the carbon, congestion and air quality challenges facing Irish Cities. Galway City Council is committed to addressing these challenges as reflected in the policies and objectives which support a modal shift, active travel measures, park and rides and the 15 minute city and neighbourhoods concept. The scheduled review of the GTS, commenced in 2022 and is due to be completed in 2023, will also provide an opportunity to re-evaluate transport demand measures. Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 109
- Sustainable Mobility and TransportationSmart Mobility Smart mobility is an intelligent transport and mobility system. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Ireland exists as a collaborative body to promote the development and deployment of technology to the transport environment. This application allows transport modes to communicate with each other and the wider environment and provide integrated transport solutions for the user. It can be used to provide real time passenger information, variable speed limits, variable message signs, incident detection systems, ramp metering on national routes and car parking management and efficiency, improve wayfinding and increase efficiencies in junctions. In general, these systems can provide additional capacity in the network, incorporate demand management measures and deliver efficiencies and cost savings to the passengers. Smarter mobility policies and intelligent systems can be used also to future proof proposed infrastructure. The application of smart mobility in general also has application in new modes such as in apps for bike sharing, car sharing and on-demand ride sharing service. The Council applies smart mobility systems in the Urban Traffic Management Centre (UTMC). This control room manages, monitors and optimises transport on the road network including signalisation and traffic flows. It contributes to making improvements to the flow of traffic particularly during peak times and during specific events likely to generate large volumes of traffic. It also assists the Council in the dissemination of real-time information to the public. The GTS recommends expansion of the UTMC network to ensure that all future transport interventions will be based on the implementation of smarter mobility policies and consideration of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) as a means of improving the overall transport experience in the city into the future. In application, such technologies can support and facilitate initiatives that will improve sustainable transportation, including public transport, integrated ticketing, smart public lighting, electric and hybrid vehicles, car clubs, public bike schemes and improved pedestrian and cycling facilities. Mobility Management and Travel Plans Mobility management aims to reduce the demand for the use of cars by increasing the attractiveness and practicality of sustainable transport such as public transport, walking and cycling. It can be applied as a strategic demand management tool or as a site specific or area-specific measure. Strategically it can be used by linking development to the most accessible locations; at a more specific level it means planning for new development in a co-ordinated manner that minimises the need to travel from the outset and by consequence reduce the demand for car use. The integration of land use and transport as provided for in the Core Strategy is critical to support the aims of mobility management. The preparation of Travel Plans can be an effective mechanism in the implementation of mobility management policies, particularly for the developments that have potential to generate a high number of trips. The Council is committed to working collaboratively with major employers, schools, colleges and for other activities that have potential for significant trip generation in the preparation of Travel Plans. Travel Plans have the objective of showing how reliance on car-based travel can be reduced through realistic and implementable measures that encourage employees /students to use sustainable travel modes. The plan normally brings together a suite of measures tailored to the needs of the individual premises or site or a collection of sites. This generally includes measures to promote and improve the attractiveness of using public transport, cycling, walking, car sharing, flexible working or a combination of these as alternatives to drive-alone journeys to the destination. It can consider all travel associated with the site, where applicable these can include business travel, fleet management, customer access and deliveries. These plans can also hold interest for businesses and organisations who want to address lifestyles issues, congestion and parking issues for their employees, users and visitors. Such plans are required generally to be prepared in accordance with NTA guidance for workplaces and schools. 110 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029
- Sustainable Mobility and TransportationCar Parking Parking policy is an important element in overall planning and transport policy as it impacts transportation choice and potential to achieve a modal shift. The NPF promotes a demand management approach to requirements for car parking where a differentiation in standard requirements is applied to developments based on spatial location, public transport services and that flexibility is applied to achieve performance based outcomes, in particular for infill and brownfield developments. This approach is supported in the Plan where there are varying standards between the four defined neighbourhood areas. These are set at maximum levels of provision. In addition, flexibility is encouraged where grouped car parking is provided. Reduced requirement is encouraged in mixed use areas, in particular where peak demands do not coincide and where multi-purpose trips are anticipated and in circumstances where mobility management measures are deemed satisfactory. Consideration of reduction in requirements will also apply along existing and planned strategic public transport corridors depending on the prevailing level of service at that time. In the city centre area where the GTS includes for significant investment in sustainable modes and where the most strategic Regeneration and Opportunity Sites are located, the requirements for car parking will be linked to performance based outcomes. Exceptions to this include the large designated regeneration lands at Ceannt where there is an objective for the provision of a car park that can support the transportation hub and a substantial level of mixed–use development constituting an extension to the city centre. In addition, a replacement of the existing surface car park on the Dyke Road is accepted on lands included in the Headford Road Regeneration area where re-development accommodating the car parking in a multi-story format would enable more efficient use of the land. Notwithstanding this approach all developments will be subject to the standard traffic and transport assessments. In the context of on-street car parking the GTS includes for the gradual reduction in the level of such provision and the rationalising of access to off street facilities. This is in order to minimise car circulation within the city centre and to provide more road space for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. It is considered that some rationalisation of onstreet parking on routes outside of the city centre will also be necessary to facilitate bus movements and improve the walking and cycling environment. The exception will be for disabled driver parking which will continue to be accommodated in all areas. The reduction of on-street car parking will be combined with the introduction of a parking price mechanism which will help to make the option of public transport more attractive and to create a disincentive for car-centric travel into the city to help contribute towards behavioral change and modal shift. Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 111
- Sustainable Mobility and TransportationThe introduction of new regulations for the installation of electric vehicles (EV) recharging infrastructure came into effect in 2021 under the publication of the EU Energy Performance Regulations and will help to encourage supporting infrastructure. These new regulations require the installation of recharging points for EV for both new buildings and existing buildings undergoing major renovations for more than ten car parking spaces. These regulations also require the installation of a minimum number of recharging points for all existing buildings (other than dwellings) with more than twenty car parking spaces by January 01, 2025. The installation of EV recharging infrastructure will support the Climate Action Plan targets of nearly one million EV to be on the road by 2030 and will help to facilitate this transition. The city will also require additional EV charging points for public spaces throughout the city with consideration having regard to the sensitivity of the locations. The Council will work in conjunction with ESB networks and other service providers in the provision of charging points in public areas in the city to ensure there are appropriate levels of electric charging infrastructure in place including on regional routes and at public transport interchanges. Behaviour Changes Changing behavioural attitudes to transport modes through increasing awareness of the travel options that can be taken for daily movements can encourage more sustainable travel choices where these are feasible. Travel behaviour changes have proven to help reduce congestion and improve people’s journeys while bringing wider benefits like reducing emissions, both carbon and those impacting air quality and also to have wider public health, economic and public realm benefits. Measures to encourage this include the targeted promotion of public transport walking, cycling and car sharing as alternatives to single occupancy car use. The Council support the promotion of the NTA initiatives such as the Smarter Travel Workplaces and Smarter Travel Campus. These behaviour change programmes encourage implementation of Travel Plans that focus on promoting and encouraging staff and students to sustainably and actively commute and encourage organisations to consider flexible working arrangements. In addition, the Sustainable Transport Measures Grant Fund which is part of the NTA programmes also aims to improve transport options for those choosing alternatives to the private car though supports for associated infrastructure that encourages modal change. In addition to promotional information, motivation initiatives and delivery of improved supporting infrastructure, disincentive programs for using the car can also be used to induce behavioural change. Other measures that may contribute to behavioral changes include car sharing schemes and use of other electric modes of transport, such as e-bikes and e-scooters. 112 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029
- Sustainable Mobility and TransportationPolicy 4.5 Transport Demand Management Measures 1. Support GTS measures for a reduction of car movements through the city centre, to be achieved by specific traffic management arrangements including the implementation of a City Centre Access Network. 2. Support the GTS proposals to prioritise public transport movements in the city centre through the implementation of a designated public transport route, the Cross-City Link. 3. Promote changes in the management of car parking, including for the reduction of on-street parking, improved access arrangements and a review of pricing structures that will encourage greater sustainable mobility. 4. Implement the GTS proposals for a HGV management strategy and a loading and delivery strategy in the city centre. 5. Support and promote the use of smarter mobility and Intelligent Transport Solutions (ITS) to increase efficiency, safety and co-ordination across all transport networks. 6. Promote the implementation of Travel Plans with employers and schools, including Local Transport Plans (LTPs) using Area Based Transport Assessments (ABTA) as the methodology to prepare LTPs and Traffic and Transport Assessments (TTA) where the scale of development determines the need for integrated land use and transport planning policies. 7. Increase the use of sustainable transport modes including public transport through targeted promotion and encouragement of behavioural change. 4.6 Road and Street Network The GTS includes key strategies to provide for sustainable and reliable alternatives to travel by private car. However, alone their full implementation is incapable of delivering a solution to the specific transport problems in the city and also to provide for the strategic connectivity needed for enhanced regional and national accessibility. The national road and motorway network in particular provides vital inter-urban and interregional connectivity, critical to realise the NPF growth ambitions for Galway to become a city of scale and to maintain its economic resilience and competitiveness. The M6 motorway significantly reduced travel times from Dublin to Galway and has made the city more accessible nationally and enhanced movement in general, including that relating to bus transport and goods vehicles. This route is a highly important national road and is identified as part of the EU TEN-T Comprehensive Network which is critical in maintaining, improving and protecting the strategic function of the key transport corridors in line with national and regional policy and investment commitments. The completion of the M17/M18 Gort to Tuam motorway has added to the accessibility of the city and improved strategic linkage within the region and with other NPF regional cities. The N59 and N84 national roads are important regional links to and from the city also. At local level the near completion of the entire N6 Multi Modal Corridor Improvement Scheme has made improvements to the road network and traffic management. Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 113
- Sustainable Mobility and TransportationHowever, there remains significant traffic congestion with most main junctions operating over capacity. The existing road network needs to cater for a range of users and a variety of journeys within the city and even with investment in sustainable modes the problems cannot be entirely addressed. The NPF and the RSES recognise that the growth and economic success of the city requires investment in a range of infrastructure, including roads and if not delivered the current congestion will worsen and inevitably impact on the overall function, success and ambition for Galway to grow to regional status. The NPF specifically sees improved accessibility and connectivity between centres of scale, separate from Dublin, as key to harnessing the peripheral regions potential and to achieving increased regional parity. Some journeys across the city, in particular through journeys on national and regional roads are not always capable of being accommodated by non-car modes. Strong demands for such journeys remain at present and will increase in the future. While there will be a shift to sustainable modes on implementation of the GTS through a number of measures, the efficiencies of these modes are jeopardised by the significant level of congestion that will still remain on the network and on the main river crossings. The GTS recognises this need for an integrated transport solution which includes for the provision for sustainable and reliable alternatives to travel by private car and also to deliver the strategic orbital route – the N6 GCRR incorporating a new river crossing. Although some elements of the GTS can be implemented independently from the delivery of such a road, the full extent of measures and the success of the GTS needs the provision of this new orbital route which is also an identified strategic addition to the EU TEN-T Comprehensive Network. In addition, to support efficient movement within the city the GTS also outlines additional traffic management measures which are needed, which include new improved roads and links and the management of car parking. The NPF, in acknowledgement of the rational for a strategic orbital route, has identified the delivery of the N6 GCRR as a key growth enabler for the city. This route is further supported in the RSES which identifies the road network in general as an investment priority. It recognises that the accessibility from the Northern and Western regions of Ireland and between centres of scale separate from Dublin needs to be significantly improved with a focus on cities and larger regionally distributed centres and key east to west and north to south routes. The MASP also sees the need to continue to improve the road network around the city and in particular to support the delivery of all measures in the GTS including the N6 GCRR. In general as the national road network serving the city supports key transport links and accessibility, the Council will continue to work with TII and other national agencies to protect and enhance the capacity of these national routes. This is in line with national and regional objectives and policy in relation to Spatial Planning and National Roads and will ensure that the carrying capacity, operational efficiency, safety and significant national investment being made in the national road network is protected. In general the Council will continue to carry out road and junction improvements some of which will be necessary for the implementation of measures associated with GTS and also others to improve general safety and efficiencies in the network. Improvements in the network to provide such upgrades and key linkages are listed in the specific objectives section of this Chapter. Streets in urban areas should be so designed to be safe, convenient and attractive, where walking priority is integrated into the design, and social interaction and community benefit is a strong consideration. Well-designed streets can also create connected physical, social and transport networks that promote real alternatives to car journeys, by encouraging walking, cycling or public transport. A review of the street design and user priority resulted in design guidelines. 114 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029
- Sustainable Mobility and TransportationThe Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets, (DMURS, 2019) and supplemental advice notes reflects a revision in national policy regarding road and street design. It adopts a balanced approach to road and street design in accordance with four core principles that focus on connected networks, multifunctional streets, pedestrian focus and a multidisciplinary approach. These national guidelines resulted in a direction in design and implementation for a more place based and integrated street design to create safe and successful streets serving all users. This reversed historic standards which resulted in less flexible road layouts, dominated by vehicular movements resulting in poor pedestrian linkage and permeability. Street design in the city will be required to comply with DMURS in order to promote the street as a place, incorporating elements of urban design to create streets with a high-quality public realm, a balanced approach to all users and complementary to the neighbourhood concept as provided for in Chapter 3. This approach is further enhanced by the NTA Permeability a Best Practice Guide (2015) which with implementation has capacity to transform neighbourhoods into more permeable ones, where people can walk or cycle through areas safely and conveniently, and in a manner which can give an advantage to these modes over private car travel in particular is also encouraged. Accessibility In recognition of Ireland’s ratification of the UN Convention of the Rights of People with disabilities (UNCRD) and as a signatory to the Barcelona Declaration, Galway City Council is committed to promoting universal design and access for all. Public transport should be a key aspect in the delivery of this and requires a ‘whole journey approach’. This refers to all elements that constitute a journey from the starting point to final destination to ensure universal design practices are being implemented throughout the journey. It is an objective of the GTS to foster and sustain an inclusive approach to the operation of the transport network, and all of its constituent travel modes. Network proposals, including both new proposals and the improvement of existing facilities will be undertaken in a manner that fully considers the accessibility requirements of all prospective users. Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 115
- Sustainable Mobility and TransportationThis plan endorses the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) 2017-2021 and ratification by Ireland in 2018 of the UNCRPD (Article 9) for inclusion to support accessibility to all vulnerable road users. The NTA’s Permeability Best Practice Guide and DMURS (2019) including all supplemental notes, also advocates for connectivity and accessibility improvements throughout the city, including new developments and retrofitting existing developments, where possible. The Council supports these concepts of needing to remove obstacles in the public realm, walking routes, and providing adaptations of greenways to promote accessibility for all. Allied to the design of the street network, the development of universal design to improve accessibility, in particular for people with reduced mobility, will be a critical element in any new street design or street improvement schemes. The Council will liaise with the National Disability Authority (NDA) and have regard to best practice guidance including Buildings for Everyone (2012) which provides guidance on the design of spaces that can be readily accessed and used by everyone, regardless of age, size, ability or disability. Policy 4.6 Road and Street Network and Accessibility 1. Support the N6 Galway City Ring Road project in conjunction with Galway County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in order to develop a transportation solution to address the existing congestion on the national and regional road network. 2. Enhance the delivery of an overall integrated transport solution for the city and environs by supporting the reservation of the designated strategic road corridor to accommodate the N6 GCRR project. 3. Support the proposals in the Galway Transport Strategy for design interventions, revised traffic management arrangements and priority arrangements for walking, cycling and public transport on the road network. 4. Implement improvements on the general road network, including new links and junction revisions where needed in the interest of safety and convenience for all users. 5. Implement best practice in road and street design according to the hierarchy of road users as set out in the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (2013) as updated (2019) and 2020, where road design is subject to DMURS. 6. Support reduced speed limits in the city centre and residential areas of the city. 7. Promote accessibility for people with disabilities and people with reduced mobility and have regard to best practice guidance from the National Disability Authority (NDA). 8. Promote a permeable urban and suburban environment in accordance with best practice guidance as provided for in Permeability a Best Practice Guide (NTA 2015) and implement permeability schemes in existing areas where appropriate, permeability proof proposed developments and endeavour to retain existing local links with enhancements where needed. 9. Support national policy and guidance with regard to protection of the National Road network including the strategic function of the TEN-T core and comprehensive network. Development objectives will be in accordance with the DOECLG Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines (2012). 10. Evaluations of permeability in areas around district centres, neighbourhood centres and schools shall be carried out in the context of the 15-minute city concept policy. Where obstacles are identified which impair direct and convenient access to services and amenities at these centres by walking or cycling, measures to improve permeability will be planned and prioritised. 116 Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029
Source Galway City Council: Galway City Development Plan 2023–2029 (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.