Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029 — Chapter 5: Sustainable Mobility and Transport

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   Note: This table is not exhaustive, other projects shall be identified in LAPs. The delivery of any project is subject to approval of funding. Nr. Name Route K Investigate the feasibility of developing an Orbital Road around Newbridge (Barrettstown/ Milltown). L Improvement to Morristown Bridge in Newbridge. M Improvements to Sex’s Bridge, Newbridge. N Inner Relief Road, Newbridge (Newbridge LAP roads objective SR05(a)) R445 to L2018 Between Naas Road and Great Connell Road O To examine the feasibility of developing a ring road on the north and north-east of Newbridge to connect with the orbital relief road and to link with the M7 south-west of the town. North and north-east of Newbridge. P Kilcock Ring Road Kilcock Q Inner Relief Road, Clane R403 to R407 Capdoo, Celbridge Road to Kilcock Road R Examine options for a link road from the R407 to the R403 including a new Liffey Crossing east of Clane. S Improvement to Moore’s Bridge on the Rathbride Road in the Curragh. T Examine options for road improvements on the L2030 from Newhall to Caragh. L2030 U Investigate the feasibility of a new river crossing to the south-east of Caragh village. South-east of Caragh village. V R416 Athgarvan road improvement works on approach roads into the village. R416 into Athgarvan, c. 1km. W Examine options for road improvements on the R409 from Halverstown Cross Roads to Blackwood Cross Roads R409 X Realignment of bend at Castlemitchell on R428 R428 Y Examine the feasibility of developing a ring road at Kilcullen. Kilcullen 5.6 National Road Network The national road network consists of national primary and secondary roads, including motorways and their associated junctions. In addition to the M4, M7 and M9 motorways there are three national roads in County Kildare. • The N7 linking Naas and Dublin168

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   • The N81 running along the border between Kildare and Wicklow; and • The N78 connecting Ballitore (Junction 3 on M9) and Athy and onwards to Ballylynan. The network primarily serves long and middle-distance traffic originating in or passing through the county including the transportation of freight. These routes have an important role to play in the economic development of the county and the state. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: TM P5 Work with Transport Infrastructure Ireland in accordance with the Spatial Planning and National Road Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012) to develop and operate the national road network through the County and to ensure that the carrying capacity, efficiency and safety of the network and associated junctions is protected, maintained and improved and to prevent development that could hinder the future upgrading of national road network routes and interchanges. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: TM O79 Support and facilitate enhanced orbital movement between the N3, the N4 and N7 national roads, by the widening of existing roads and/or the development of new road links, for the purpose of providing resilience to the operation of the M50 and incorporating provision for sustainable transport as provided for in the NTAs Draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042 and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. TM O80 Undertake studies in consultation with TII and other relevant agencies to investigate the improvement of the safety and capacity at the M4 Maynooth Interchange (Junction 7) and investigate the provision of a future improved connection to the M4, either at the current location or elsewhere. TM O81 Examine the feasibility of delivering a pedestrian and cycle overpass of the M4 to link the Wonderful Barn at Leixlip to the Kildare Innovation Campus (the former Hewlett Packard site) and Castletown Demesne in Celbridge in consultation with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, while being sensitive to the heritage sensitivities of both sites. TM O82 Examine the feasibility of delivering an overpass of the M7 from the Cherry Avenue site in Kildare Town to the Irish National Stud in consultation with TII. TM O83 Undertake studies in consultation with TII and other relevant agencies to investigate the improvement of the safety and capacity of the M7 Monasterevin Interchange (Junction 14) through the provision of an upgrade to the interchange. TM O84 Undertake studies in consultation with TII and other relevant agencies to investigate how vehicle movements could be improved, from the west to the south as well as from the south to the west at the M7 (Junction 11)169

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   /M9 (Junction 1) Interchange and to investigate the feasibility of providing for a M9/M7 interchange connection along the M7 at Junction 12. TM O85 Ensure proposals for Motorway Service Areas are developed in accordance with the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities, DECLG (2012) and TII Motorway Service Area Policy guidance document (2014 or as may be amended). TM O86 Support and facilitate the continued operation of existing Motorway Service Areas throughout the county in accordance with the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities, DECLG (2012) and TII Motorway Service Area Policy guidance document (2014 or as may be amended). TM O87 Identify the future needs of the network and co-operate in fulfilling these needs in conjunction with TII and in accordance with the Spatial Planning and National Roads: Guidelines for Planning Authorities, DECLG (2012) and the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T) Regulations. TM O88 Improve connectivity between the local road network and the national/regional road network. The Council will ensure that any future development in this regard complies with the guidance to safeguard the overall operational function of the national road network as set out in the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines, DECLG (2012). Such developments shall be subject to AA screening and where applicable, Stage 2 AA so as to ensure and protect the favourable status of European sites and their hydrological connections. TM O89 Avoid the creation of additional access points from new development or the generation of increased traffic from existing accesses to national roads to which speed limits greater than 50kph apply as set out in the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines, DECLG (2012). TM O90 Co-operate with other agencies in the provision of additional links between the national road network and public transport especially rail and bus transport including strategic park and ride facilities. TM O91 Support “Measure Road 6” of the Draft GDA Transport Strategy to facilitate Orbital Movement in Leinster. In this regard, the Council will support the TII and other local authorities to deliver online improvements to existing road carriageways, and localised schemes on national and regional roads, to cater for orbital traffic movement, where issues related to the safety and capacity of the network have been identified. TM O92 Preserve the N7 Johnstown Interchange (Junction 8) area free from development for the provision of future access to Naas. TM O93 Support the future development of a connection between the N3-N4 Barnhill to Leixlip Interchange having regard to TM O7827 of this Plan in accordance with strategic development objectives and the Spatial Planning and National Roads: Guidelines for Planning Authorities, DECLG (2012). 27 TM O78 reads as follows; ‘It is an objective of the Council to 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’.170

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   Action It is an action of the Council to: TM A24 Upgrade the section of the N81 National Secondary Road (Tallaght/Baltinglass) that is located within County Kildare subject to funding and in accordance with the requirements of TII and subject to AA screening and where applicable, Stage 2 AA so as to ensure and protect the favourable status of European sites and their hydrological connections. 5.7 Regional Roads Regional roads link the principal towns in the county and surrounding counties. They also serve local traffic. They are generally unimproved “legacy” roads and a significant number carry a considerable volume of traffic. It is important for the sustainable economic and social development of the county that the carrying capacity of these routes is preserved. Regional roads are defined as Link Roads in DMURS for urban areas. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: TM P6 Maintain and improve the capacity, safety and function of the regional road network (as finance becomes available) and to ensure that it is planned for and managed to enable the sustainable economic development of the county and wider area while encouraging a shift towards more sustainable travel and transport in accordance with the Core Strategy, the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines (2012) and the Draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: TM O94 Preserve free from development proposed transport routes (or optional routes) identified in Local Area Plans and routes for additional crossings over the river Liffey in order to accommodate increased traffic (between the Dublin Metropolitan Area and the population and employment centres in Kildare). TM O95 Restrict new access onto regional roads where the 80km per hour speed limit currently applies, except in the following exceptional circumstances: • Developments of strategic, local, regional or national importance, where there is a significant gain to the county through employment creation or other economic benefit. • Where applicants comply with Schedule of Local Need Criteria (see Chapter 3), are proposing to build a home on their family landholding and cannot provide access onto a nearby county road. In this instance, applicants will only be permitted to maximise the potential of existing entrances. The onus will be on the applicant(s)171

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   to demonstrate that there are no other accesses or suitable sites within the family landholding. • Where it is proposed to demolish an existing dwelling and replace with a new dwelling, where there is an existing entrance onto the regional road. TM O96 Improve and re-align where necessary and as funds allow, the regional roads subject to AA screening and where applicable, Stage 2 AA so as to ensure and protect the favourable status of European sites and their hydrological connections. TM O97 Improve connectivity across the railways and canals in County Kildare, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders including Irish Rail and Waterways Ireland, to ensure new crossings do not impede the safe passage of boats navigating waterways. Subject to AA screening and where applicable, Stage 2 AA so as to ensure and protect the favourable status of European sites and their hydrological connections. Table 5.5 - Regional Roads Identified for Improvement No. Road No. Location 1 R409 Naas to Junction of R403 at Blackwood. 2 R410 Naas to county boundary via Eadestown. 3 R411 Naas to county boundary via Ballymore. 4 R445 Naas to county boundary at Killinure via Newbridge, Kildare & Monasterevin. 5 R448 Naas to Kilcullen and junction with M9. 6 R407 Kilcock to Naas via Clane Inner Relief Road. 7 R405 Maynooth to county boundary at Hazelhatch via Celbridge. 8 R406 Maynooth to Barberstown. 9 R408 Prosperous to Maynooth. 10 R157 Junction with R148 at Maynooth to county boundary. 11 R148 County boundary at Leixlip to county boundary at Cloncurry via Maynooth and Kilcock. 12 R149 Leixlip to county boundary. 13 R404 Leixlip to Junction with the R403. 14 R449 Junction with R148 at Intel to junction with R405 at Celbridge. 15 R403 County boundary at Backweston to Clane via Celbridge. 16 R125 Kilcock to county boundary. 17 R158 Allen Bridge, Kilcock to county boundary. 18 R416 Junction with R413 at Kinneagh to Newbridge. 19 R416 Newbridge to Junction with the R415 at Milltown. 20 R413 Ballymany to Kildare.172

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   No. Road No. Location 21 R418 Kilcullen to Athy including road improvement works on the approach road to Kilcullen from Athy at Thompson’s Cross/ Sunnyhill Road exit. 22 R418 Athy to county boundary at Newtown via Castledermot. 23 R417 Monasterevin to county boundary at Newacre via Athy. 24 R428 Athy to county boundary at Blackford. 25 R415 Allenwood to Kildare via Kilmeague. 26 R415 Kildare to junction with the R 448 at Crookstown. 27 R403 Clane to Junction with R402 via Prosperous, Allenwood & Derrinturn. 28 R414 Monasterevin to Junction with R403 at Allenwood via Rathangan. 29 R424 Monasterevin to county boundary. 30 R419 Rathangan to county boundary. 31 R401 Junction with R413 at the Curragh to county boundary at Ballinure via Rathangan. 32 R402 County boundary at Kishawanny to county boundary at Johnstown Bridge. 33 R157 County boundary at Offaly Bridge to county boundary at Catherinestown. 34 R148 County boundary at Kilmurry to county boundary at Clonard. 35 R160 Ballynadrummy to county boundary. 36 R401 County boundary at Boyne Bridge to county boundary at Ballyboggan. 37 R412 Junction with R448 at Sidegate to county boundary at Tober Lower via Brannockstown. 38 R413 Ballymore to Brannnockstown. 39 R413 Brannockstown to Ballymany via Kilcullen. 40 R427 Junction with R417 at Cloney to county boundary. 41 R448 Kilcullen to county boundary at Gorteengrone. 42 R747 Ballitore to county boundary. 43 General To improve regional road links between Wicklow and other counties, in particular the Blessington to Naas route and routes from Dunlavin and Baltinglass to the M9/N9 in accordance with national transport policy requirements and in consultation with TII and other statutory agencies, as appropriate. 44 General To continue to improve regional roads to the appropriate standards consistent with predicted traffic flow and in accordance with Government policy and the Roads Programme adopted by the Council. New and existing road space will be allocated to provide for bus, cycle and pedestrian facilities.173

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   5.8 Local Roads Local roads are roads serving those areas of the county not served by the national or regional networks. Local roads are defined as local streets in the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (2019) in urban areas. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: TM P7 Ensure that the safety and capacity of the local road network is maintained and improved where funding allows and to ensure that local streets and roads within the county are designed to a suitable standard to accommodate sustainable modes of transport and the future needs of the county. These roads and streets should be appropriately designed for all road users regardless of age, physical mobility, or social disadvantage. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: TM O98 Maintain and improve all local roads to an appropriate standard as per the annual Road Work Programme, subject to availability of resources. TM O99 Ensure that all new streets in housing and mixed-use schemes are designed, in accordance with: • Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (2019); • Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (2009) and accompanying Best Practice Design Manual (2009); • Architecture 2009-2015 Towards a Sustainable Future: Delivering Quality within the Built Environment (2009); • Any new guidance/standards from the DECLG; and • Any other relevant design standards. TM O100 Ensure that all roads, streets and street networks within towns, villages and rural settlements, as appropriate, are designed to passively calm traffic through the creation of a self-regulating road/street environment, that clearly delineates village entrance points. TM O101 Ensure that all developments allow for full connectivity (pedestrian, cycle and vehicular) to adjacent road networks and to adjacent lands, which may be developed in the future. TM O102 Minimise the extent of hedgerow removal in order to achieve adequate sightlines. However, where it has been satisfactorily demonstrated that there is no other suitable development site (for planning reasons) any removed hedgerow shall be replaced with native hedgerow species. Opportunities should be sought to translocate existing species rich hedgerows, where possible, and subject to proper biosecurity protocols. TM O103 Investigate the feasibility of the provision of a strategic cross county link from the R148 (Musgrave Distribution Centre/Roundabout) to the R158/ Balfeaghan Roundabout in consultation with Meath County Council.174

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   TM O104 Undertake an assessment and address any identified safety concerns as a priority, at the following junctions; (i) Firmount Cross (ii) Dagwelds Cross (iii) Allenwood Cross (iv) Prosperous Cross. 5.9 Road and Street Design The design of roads and streets, the regulation and management of speed and the safety of road users are all intrinsically linked. DMURS indicates that the speed at which people drive is primarily influenced by the design of the roads or streets and that regulatory features, such as speed limits, do not influence driver behaviour to the same extent. A broad range of placemaking measures, such as built form, landscaping and pedestrian and cyclist movement, as well as more conventional measures, will need to be taken into account in the design of roads and streets. The design of streets has a major influence on the quality of life and the public realm enjoyed by people. A placemaking approach that is responsive to the surrounding environment is therefore required. The design of urban streets in Ireland is informed by DMURS (2019) which is mandatory for all urban roads and streets within the 60 km/h urban speed limit zone except for: • National roads and • In exceptional circumstances, certain urban roads and streets with the written consent of the relevant Authority. DMURS highlights how in recent times the car has become the dominant force in determining how urban areas are designed. A focus on vehicle movement has led to the implementation of road standards in urban areas (e.g. road widths, building setbacks, junction designs) that are at odds with the design of traditional towns and villages where development fronted the street and streets were multi-functional spaces shared by all users (pedestrians, cyclists, cars). In more recent years, in response to increased traffic volumes, neighbourhoods have been divided into ‘neighbourhood cells’ that are broken up by large distributor roads designed to carry high traffic volumes. While efficient in moving vehicular traffic, the approach has had a negative impact on place making and on the usability of the street for other users. In line with broader government policies relating to the environment, placemaking, planning and sustainable transport, DMURS seeks to achieve a balance between traffic movement and the provision of well-designed streets that are part of the overall design of a neighbourhood.175

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   The Draft Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042 outlines a user hierarchy to consider during the design of roads and streets which prioritises sustainable forms of transportation. The hierarchy considers pedestrians, cyclists, public transport, taxis & shared transport and private motor vehicles in this order. To recognise the importance of electric vehicles in reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions, Kildare County Council will add electric vehicles to the hierarchy to be considered first as part of public transport, taxis & shared transport and private motor vehicles. Special Speed Limits The making of Special Speed Limits is a reserved function of the Elected Members by the making of a Bye Law under the Road Traffic Act 2004 (as amended) and is subject to the requirements of the Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland (2015). This includes the application of lower speed limits in areas such as housing estates, town and village centres and around schools. The introduction of special speed limits serves to make areas safer for more vulnerable road users. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: TM P8 Ensure that streets and roads within the county are designed to balance placemaking and movement to prioritise sustainable modes of transport and to provide a safe traffic calmed street environment in accordance with the principles set out in the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (2019) while meeting the needs of road users of all ages and abilities. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: TM 105 Ensure that all streets and street networks are designed considering the hierarchy of users in Figure 5.9 above and includes the provision of high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure and traffic calming measures which may include speed ramps. Figure 5.9 - Hierarchy of Users176

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    5.10 Traffic and Transportation Management The Traffic Management Centre of Kildare County Council utilises Intelligent Transport Systems and Communications infrastructure to monitor and manage the urban transport network within the county. It oversees the installation, operation and control of signals at both junctions and pedestrian crossings. A comprehensive maintenance function for the county’s traffic signal network is currently in place. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: TM P9 Effectively manage and minimise the impacts of traffic in urban areas and prioritise the movement of pedestrians, cyclists and public transport particularly at key junctions, while maximising the efficient use of existing resources. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: TM O106 Support the use of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) technology for pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular traffic, public transport and parking management in all new developments. TM O107 Maintain existing vehicle actuated (VA) traffic signals to MOVA1 or SCOOT2 traffic signals as appropriate and improve energy efficiency of signals through use of ELV or LED lights. TM O108 Seek to channel HGV traffic associated with: (i) landfill and extractive sites onto the regional and national road networks insofar as possible and to seek appropriate and proportionate contributions towards the cost of road improvements which benefit a specific development, in accordance with Sections 48 or 49 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and (ii) to assess the potential for HGV management measures in town centres where appropriate. TM O109 Undertake HGV management measures in town centres as appropriate in order to alleviate HGV parking in non-industrial areas including housing estates’. Action It is an action of the Council to: TM A25 Require all multi-unit developments and schools to submit mobility management plans and travel plans, including an assessment of the public transport capacity in a manner consistent with existing NTA guidance and to implement mobility management initiatives to minimise the impact of new developments on the road and street network of the County.177

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