Development plan · Kildare County Council
Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029 — Chapter 5: Sustainable Mobility and Transport
One part of the council's development plan written statement, which the council publishes in parts. Variations adopted since are not in this text.
Kildare County Council · 2023–2029 · 64 pages
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- TM O32 Ensure the provision of improved cycle and walking infrastructure linking Maynooth Town Centre, the Royal Canal Greenway, the train station, the proposed Maynooth Outer Orbital Route and to Kilcock, Celbridge and Leixlip. TM O33 Liaise with Irish Rail with respect to identifying and developing a new pedestrian crossing over the Rail line (separate to DART +) from Kilmacreddock to Intel/Greenway in order to promote “Active Travel” permeability links to the Strategic Employment Lands at Collinstown. TM O34 Investigate the feasibility of developing a cycle-way at the following locations; • from Milltown to Newbridge along the R416. • from Ballitore to Crookstown. • from Castledermot to the southwest, along the R448 to the county boundary. • from Athy along the N78 to the east as far as the M9 Motorway, subject to the requirements of TII publication. • from Caragh Village to Naas along the R409 and R445. TM O35 Investigate the feasibility of developing a walking route within and connecting the villages of Brannockstown, Gilltown, Two Mile House and Carnalway. TM O36 Investigate the feasibility of providing for footpaths / cycleways from towns and villages to nearby services and amenities, as appropriate. TM O37 Support the creation of a walking route within the de Burgh (Oldtown) Demesne in Naas where it can be sensitively designed to take into account existing trees and hedgerows within this landscape and also where it incorporates permeability routes at suitable locations along its perimeter. TM O38 Support the development of accessible and barrier free cycling as a practical transport choice by providing secure, well-designed and welllit cycle parking facilities, including electrical and cargo/delivery bicycle parking in towns, at public service destinations and in all new residential and commercial developments in accordance with cycle parking design guidelines; The National Cycle Manual (NTA, 2011 – or the pending update), The Draft GDA Cycle Network Plan (NTA, 2021) and the Standards for Cycle Parking and Associated Cycling Facilities for New Developments document (Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, 2018). TM O39 Promote and encourage the use of the Toolkit for School Travel (2019) by teachers, parents and others and promote and encourage, in consultation with the Department of Education, substantial changes in relation to the items that learners are expected to bring to and from school daily to encourage more learners to cycle to school. TM O40 Support the Cycle Café Scheme by identifying additional suitable ‘Cycle Café’ premises in the County in order to create a network of ‘pit stops’ for cyclists in order to boost the profile of cycling and tourism in County Kildare and to promote sustainable travel.158
- Action It is an action of the Council to: TM A5 Prepare a walking and cycling strategy to identify and invest in new high-quality, suitable, safe, and sustainable walking and cycling routes, in consultation with stakeholders with links from towns and villages to public transport services, amenities, services, schools, and existing and proposed developments. These walking and cycling routes should be segregated and the cycling routes should accommodate two-way access, whenever possible. TM A6 Support action 26 of the National Sustainable Mobility Policy | Action Plan 2022-2025, to develop pedestrian enhancement plans for Naas and Maynooth in co-operation with the NTA. TM A7 Develop a new pedestrian and cycle link from Celbridge/Backweston to Leixlip, via Castletown House, through Kildare Innovation Campus (former Hewlett Packard site), across the M4 to the Wonderful Barn and onto Leixlip Town Centre and Leixlip Louisa Bridge Station, in accordance with the requirements of TII publications. TM A8 Investigate the feasibility of providing a dedicated shared path connection between the settlements in the MASP area to align with the proposed routes identified in the National Transport Authority’s Draft Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network (2021) or any subsequent updates to same. TM A9 Investigate the feasibility of providing a footpath and cycle lane along the R405 between Maynooth and Celbridge. TM A10 Identify appropriate opportunities to provide ‘Park and Stride’ facilities within towns and villages at locations that allow safe pedestrian access to school sites. Consideration should be given to co-locating ‘Park and Stride’ facilities with other parking facilities at locations that will allow parents to park or drop children off and for children to walk safely to school. Improvements may be carried out in conjunction with the NTA, through the Sustainable Transport Management Grants Scheme. TM A11 Support the development of a model for bike share schemes, the extension of the Dublin Bike Scheme and/or other bike sharing schemes to key settlements and towns and encourage the inclusion of a hybrid electric bike fleet in order to promote the use of the scheme for longdistance commuting. TM A12 Seek funding to develop Local Permeability Schemes in conjunction with the NTA in order to maximise access to town centres, local shops, schools, public transport services and other amenities. TM A13 Prepare ‘Guidelines for Permeability Connections’ in County Kildare to include a flagship permeability project in Kildare. TM A14 Prepare a Cycle Network Study for each of the key towns in County Kildare consisting of the primary links identified in both the TII’s National Cycle Network (2022) and the NTA’s Draft Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan (2021), connections between the major towns and surrounding settlements, key strategic cycle routes, greenways and local links, all in accordance with the National Cycle Manual. The study will include draft widths, levels of service and identify local targets. TM A15 Investigate the feasibility of providing a cycling route linking Donadea Forest to Killinthomas Woods.159
- TM A16 Progress the delivery of key measures outlined in the Naas / Sallins Transport Strategy 2020 on a phased basis as funding is secured. TM A17 Prepare cycle parking strategies and investigate the appropriate locations for cycle parking facilities within the county in order to ensure sufficient cycle parking on-street in towns and villages, in accordance with the NTA’s Draft Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy and Cycle Network Plan (2021). The locations of such facilities can be identified where appropriate through the Local Area Plan process. TM A18 Carry out local traffic management improvements to provide safer routes to schools in order to support the Green-Schools Travel Programme, including the ‘School Street’ initiative and the ‘Safe Routes to School’ Programme, in consultation with all the relevant stakeholders and agencies. TM A19 Provide new or upgraded lighting for all footpath and cycle track schemes subject to the consideration of ecology and impacts on wildlife. Appropriate environmental assessments will be required and may result in unlit sections which may include some parts of the county’s Greenways. Where applicable, all species-specific mitigation will be included within the relevant sections of the Appropriate Assessment. TM A20 Carry out quality audits of the existing pedestrian and cycle infrastructure in the towns and villages within County Kildare to ensure universal accessibility and that infrastructure is designed in accordance with the principles, approaches and standards contained in the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets 2019, the NTA National Cycle Manual and other relevant standards. TM A21 Collaborate with Waterways Ireland and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that recreation, amenity and heritage sites in County Kildare are accessible to all, and that design solutions retain existing man-made, local features of interest such as ‘kissing gates’. The retention of existing kissing gates will be assessed in the context of delivering a balanced approach to the protection of heritage and universal access where they would not deny access to those using mobility aids and nonstandard bicycles. TM A22 Investigate the feasibility for a new pedestrian bridge crossing the River Liffey in the vicinity of Alexandra Bridge in Clane. Target It is a target of the Council to: TM T2 As a minimum, increase the current modal shares of trips to work by walking to 20% and cycling to 10% during the lifetime of this Plan.19 19 Interim targets until completion of Sustainable Energy Climate Action Plan when a review will occur.160
- TM T3 As a minimum, increase the current modal shares of trips to education by walking to 50% and cycling to 15% during the lifetime of this Plan.20 5.4.2 Public Transport Approximately 14% of trips originating in County Kildare are by public transport. Levels of public transport use vary significantly across the county. While trips to Dublin are reasonably well catered for by both bus and rail services, most of the county’s workforce (64%21) live and work within the county. The use of public transport is particularly low in areas where it is difficult to reach services by foot and where services are infrequent or removed from employment areas. Therefore, this plan will particularly focus on supporting improvements to intra-county public transport services. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: TM P3 Promote the sustainable development of the county by supporting and guiding national agencies in delivering major improvements to the public transport network and to encourage a shift from car-based travel to public transport that is accessible for all, regardless of age, physical mobility, or social disadvantage. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: TM O41 Generate additional demand for public transport services by strengthening development around existing and planned high-capacity transport routes and interchanges and by reducing walking and cycling distances through the implementation of local permeability improvements and improving access to public transport as part of road improvement projects where possible. TM O42 Seek to address urban congestion with particular emphasis on facilitating the development of local bus services for the Key Towns along with associated identified economic clusters within the county ensuring connectivity to and from residential areas, key employers, and public transport hubs such as train stations, along with retail and amenity sites. TM O43 Support the implementation of the Local Link Rural Transport Programme Strategic Plan (2018-2022). 20 Interim targets until completion of Sustainable Energy Climate Action Plan when a review will occur. 21 Census 2016 POWSCAR data161
- TM O44 Liaise with and encourage transport providers and other agencies (e.g. NTA, developers etc.) to improve bus transport movement, accessibility and reliability, to ensure pick up points are clearly identifiable (particularly in rural areas), to provide appropriate bus shelters, to provide real time information panels at bus stops and to integrate the timetabling of bus and rail services. TM O45 Work with statutory agencies and stakeholders to promote and facilitate the development of a public transport hub in Naas and Sallins which will connect road, rail and public bus transport, including Park and Ride and interchange facilities. TM O46 Support the delivery of a bus-only link to the Sallins bypass through the Northwest Quadrant in Naas which will provide a direct bus service to the Sallins Railway Station from the town centre of Naas. TM O47 Support and facilitate the implementation of the Irish Rail Accessibility Programme and also to support and facilitate the NTA in order to ensure the inclusivity and mobility of persons with reduced mobility within the public transport network. TM O48 Support the implementation of the Irish Rail Customer Information Services (CIS) Strategy Report to provide reliable real time passenger information that is accessible to all, co-ordinated across the network in stations and on trains, and that is consistent across all media. TM O49 Support the implementation of the Irish Rail Multi-Modal Interchange Strategy to provide for ease of interchange between rail and all other modes, prioritising those that are sustainable – cycling, electric charging, wayfinding and shared mobility. TM O50 Facilitate and support the extension of the DART+ line to Kilcock, the extension of the DART+ Southwest line to Naas/Sallins (and promote a future extension to Newbridge and Kildare Town in the next DART + programme / GDA Transport Strategy Review) and the extension of the LUAS network, in co-operation with Irish Rail, the Department of Transport and the National Transport Authority. TM O51 Support the electrification of intercity routes. TM O52 Investigate, in co-operation with Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority, the provision of new railway stations and the upgrading/relocation of existing stations. TM O53 Investigate the feasibility of a new train station at the Curragh in consultation with Irish Rail and the NTA. TM O54 Support and facilitate, in co-operation with Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority the delivery of the following proposed new facilities to connect to the existing and proposed rail network; • A second railway station, sited to the west of the existing station in Sallins, including a park and ride facility (1, 000 spaces). • A second Maynooth railway station/depot sited to the west of Maynooth • A railway station at Collinstown including a Park and Ride facility (c. 1,000 spaces – 500 initially) and • A Kill park and ride facility - bus based (500 spaces). TM O55 Investigate the feasibility of providing for a Park and Ride facility for Newbridge train station in consultation with Irish Rail and the NTA.162
- TM O56 Assist the NTA with identifying stops and other facilities on proposed/planned bus routes. TM O57 Support Irish Rail with respect to increasing the number and frequency of shuttle buses that operate between train stations and nearby towns. TM O58 Support the implementation of the Irish Rail Freight Strategic Plan. TM O59 Facilitate and encourage the provision of taxi and bus services and parking where required to improve access to tourism and heritage facilities. TM O60 Support and liaise with Irish Rail with respect to the upgrade of the Athy/Waterford rail link. TM O61 Require all developments to undertake an assessment of the public transport capacity related to the area of the proposed development site. Action It is an action of the Council to: TM A23 Actively seek funding for projects under the NTA’s “Sustainable Transport Measures Grants” programme that contribute to improving the transport offer for those choosing alternatives to the private car. Target It is a target of the Council to: TM T4 As a minimum, increase the current modal shares of work trips by bus to 13% and train to 14% during the lifetime of this Plan. TM T5 As a minimum, increase the bus services for the rural areas of County Kildare by 25%22 to provide 70% of the people living in rural County Kildare access to public transport services. TM T6 As a minimum, increase the current modal share of education trips by public transport to 25% during the lifetime of this Plan. 22 Figures derives from the NTA’s Connecting Ireland Plan, 2021.163
- 5.5 Road and Street Network Whilst the Council is committed to the promotion of active travel and public transport use, continued investment in the county’s road and street network is necessary to ensure the sustainable and efficient movement of people and goods within the county, to provide access to developing areas and to support economic activity. As part of the overall National Roads Development Programme, it is an objective to carry out a number of specific projects during the lifetime of the plan as funding becomes available. Kildare County Council intends to proceed with a number of specific projects during the period of this plan. The Council may at its discretion, introduce roads objectives other than those listed in this Plan. The Council will have regard to the standards set out in the ‘Rural Road Link Design’ DN-GEO-03031 (TII, 2017), the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (2019), the Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland (2015) and other appropriate standards. These documents seek to implement a range of design measures that ensure roads and streets are designed and managed to cater for all road users. The road network will require improvement and careful management in order to: • Provide a safe and attractive street environment which encourages reduced vehicle speeds in urban areas and encourages people to walk and cycle; • Prioritise sustainable modes of transport so as to reduce traffic congestion on the existing road network; • Meet the road and transport needs of the county; • Facilitate access to key employment areas to and from the national road network; • Improve and manage access to and from the national road network to facilitate all traffic and mitigate impacts on the national, regional, local road and street network; • Provide access to new communities and through development lands. A research paper by the Engineering Departments of Trinity College and the University College Dublin examined the potential for car-shedding23 in the Greater Dublin Area. The findings of this paper are that individual commuters need a proper incentive to interrupt commuting habits that have been in place for a long time. However, if such incentives result in tangible time and cost savings for commuters, then this could lead to sustainable mode choice behaviour in the GDA. Car-shedding could be promoted in line with supporting private car-sharing companies providing services in County Kildare. 23 Car-shedding is defined as the concept of encouraging the reassessment of the need to utilise a private car for certain trip purposes and refers to prompting a reduction in use and ultimately ownership of privately owned vehicles. (Carroll, et al.,)164
- Policy It is the policy of the Council to: TM P4 Ensure ongoing competitiveness and the efficient movement of people and goods in the county through the improvement and expansion of the road and street network within the county to support economic development and provide access to new and existing communities, employment areas and development, all while prioritising sustainable modes of transport. New roads and other transport infrastructure projects should first be subject to the undertaking of feasibility assessment. Where feasibility is established, a Corridor and Route Selection Process will be undertaken where appropriate, for relevant new road infrastructure in two stages”, Stage 1 – Route Corridor Identification, Evaluation and Selection and Stage 2 – Route Identification, Evaluation and Selection. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: TM O62 Ensure the protection of the strategic transport function of national roads, including motorways and their associated junctions, by maintaining and protecting their safety, capacity, efficiency and strategic function, in line with national policy as set out in the Spatial Planning and National Road Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012). TM O63 Ensure that the planning, design and implementation of all road and street networks within urban areas across the county accord with the principles set out in the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (2019), the National Cycle Manual (2011 – or the pending update) and all other standards where relevant. TM O64 Investigate the requirement/feasibility for relief routes for towns, where considered necessary through the preparation of local transport plans. TM O65 Ensure a comprehensive assessment of all alternative grid connection route options is carried out prior to any proposals for grid connections utilising the national road network being considered. TM O66 Secure the implementation of the Priority Road and Bridge Projects and the Regional Roads Identified for Improvement (Table 5.4 and 5.5, refer) and maintain corridors free from development to facilitate future roads, cycle facilities and other transport infrastructure improvement identified within this Plan and Local Area Plans. TM O67 Support and facilitate in conjunction with Meath County Council, private developers and landowners, the construction of the Maynooth Outer Orbital Route. TM O68 Co-operate with adjoining local authorities and other public authorities to secure new and/or improved road infrastructure in towns bordering the county boundary including those at locations in Blessington, Kilcock, Maynooth and Leixlip. TM O69 Support and promote the delivery of a second bridge crossing in Newbridge as a priority of this development plan. TM O70 Make provision for cattle grids on The Curragh, where considered necessary and appropriate.165
- TM O71 Ensure that all new developments in proximity to National Routes and Regional Routes and other heavily trafficked roads are spatially and acoustically assessed and designed to minimise noise impact and to protect sensitive noise receptors from traffic noise in accordance with national and local planning guidance as may be issued. TM O72 Implement the requirements of S.I. No. 140 of 2006 Environmental Noise Regulations and the recommendations of the Kildare Noise Action Plan 2019-2023, to seek to reduce, where necessary, the harmful effects of traffic noise, through appropriate mitigation measures that meet the best environmental options. TM O73 Ensure that new developments in proximity to National Routes and Regional Routes are designed in such a way as to prevent light overspill onto adjacent public roads. TM O74 Mitigating the negative impacts of infrastructure by incorporating wildlife crossings/underpasses and fish culverts in the instance of freshwater European Sites into the designs for new road infrastructure and where possible, by incorporating such measures into the existing road network (as appropriate). TM O75 Require a Glint and Glare Assessment as part of all solar energy development proposals where there is a likelihood of impact on the national road network. TM O76 Control the proliferation of non-road traffic signage on and adjacent to national roads. TM O77 Safeguard the carrying capacity and efficiency of the national road network drainage regimes in County Kildare. TM O78 Protect the amenity of St. Catherine’s Park, no road proposal shall be considered by this Council through the park within the Council’s ownership or jurisdiction. Target It is a target of the Council to: TM T7 Increase the car share modal share for journeys to work from 4% to 8% during the lifetime of this Plan.166
- Table 5.4 - Priority Road and Bridge Projects24 Nr. Name Route A Maynooth Eastern Ring Road (MERR) R148 to R405 – Leixlip Road to Celbridge Road B Maynooth Outer Orbital Route (Northwest) L1012 Moyglare Road and Dunboyne Road (Co. Meath) to be delivered by Meath County Council under Section 85 agreement. C Maynooth Outer Orbital Route (West/Southwest) R148 to L1012 c. 3km – Kilcock Road to Moyglare Road and from the Kilcock Road south to Rathcoffey/Straffan Road. D Examine options in consultation with South Dublin County Council, Fingal County Council, Meath County Council, TII and other statutory agencies for the delivery of a M50 resilient outer orbital link road connecting the M3 to the M4. Preferred route to be examined and determined. E The Gallops Avenue25, Naas Blessington Road to Dublin Road F A new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists will be constructed parallel to the existing bridge in Celbridge providing enhanced Vulnerable Road User (VDU) infrastructure. A new bridge parallel to the existing River Liffey Bridge, Celbridge G Second River Crossing- Celbridge From R403 Clane Road to Hazelhatch Train Station H Second River Crossing26 - Newbridge. From Old Connell Road to R416 Athgarvan Road. I Examine options for a Western Inner Relief Road in Maynooth. From Kilcock Road to Rathcoffey/ Straffan road. J Inner Relief Road, Newbridge. L2028 to R416 Between Great Connell Road and Athgarvan Road (Liffey Hall Junction) with bridge crossing over River Liffey. 24 Table 5.4 is a list of priority projects for County Kildare; however, these projects are not listed in order of priority. 25 [in relation to the Gallops Avenue, Naas] in accordance with Objective MTO3.3 of the Naas Local Area Plan 2021-2027 26 A Local Transport Plan (LTP) is currently being prepared for Newbridge to inform the emerging Newbridge Local Area Plan (LAP). All transport objectives for the Newbridge LAP will be informed by the outcomes of the LTP.167
Source Kildare County Council: Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029 — Chapter 5: Sustainable Mobility and Transport (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.