Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   Chapter 12 Movement and Mobility Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 241 Other interventions include the following: • Schools will be a strong focus of the National Cycle Policy Framework. • Support for the provision of dedicated signed rural cycling networks building on Fáilte Ireland’s Strategy to Develop Irish Cycling Tourism8. This will cater for recreational cyclists as well as visitors. • Ensuring that all surfaces used by cyclists are maintained to a high standard and are well lit. • Ensuring that all cycling networks – both urban and rural – are sign-posted to a high standard. • Supporting the provision of secure and sheltered bicycle parking at all destinations of importance to the cyclist. Greenways As outlined in Chapter 8, Open Space and Recreation, two Greenways are under development at present within the county, one of which is the Waterford to New Ross Greenway, known as the South East Greenway, incorporating the Kilkenny Greenway, and the other is the Rosslare to Waterford Greenway. Greenways are an important element of cycling infrastructure. Greenways and Blueways also have a significant recreational use and benefit and this aspect is dealt with in more detail in Chapter 8 including specific objectives. 12.5.1 Cycling Objectives 8 Fáilte Ireland, A Strategy for the development of Irish Cycle Tourism, Conclusions Report, New Executive Summary, 2007 12H To compile a Cycling Strategy for the County 12I To develop a network of cycling and pedestrian routes within Kilkenny city to provide connectivity and provide an alternative to car-based transport. 12J To develop a cycle route between the Eastern Environs and the Breagagh Valley. 12K To investigate the provision of a cycle route along the River Nore Linear Park connecting north of the City with the east and south of the City. 12L To improve cycling infrastructure throughout the city in accordance with the recommendations of the Kilkenny Local Area Transport Plan as resources permit. 12M To reduce the Council’s carbon footprint through the implementation of the Council’s own cycle scheme, which will encourage staff members to discharge their official duties in a more sustainable way. 12N To carry out an appraisal of each of the District Towns to determine measures to facilitate cycling and walking and improve connectivity within the town particularly from an age friendly perspective. 12O To invest in cycling and other smarter travel projects in support of the compact ‘10-minute city’ concept. 12P To provide connections to the Kilkenny Greenway to settlements along its route as the need arises and resources permit.

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   Chapter 12 Movement and Mobility Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 242 Development Management Requirements Require planning applications to demonstrate the development proposal’s accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. Planning applications for residential/commercial or mixed-use developments need to: i. Demonstrate detailed layouts and design which reflect the importance of walking and cycling by providing safe and direct access to local services and public transport nodes. ii. Demonstrate how walking and cycling is integrated with open space provision. iii. Demonstrate that the proposal is easily accessible to pedestrians and cyclists alike with the layouts displaying high internal pedestrian and cyclist permeability. iv. Show a high quality of internal routes which are safe, secure and convenient for users. v. Require that adequate covered facilities for the secure parking of bicycles are provided at convenient locations close to building entrances in order to encourage cycling. The number of bicycle parking spaces required will be in accordance with Table 12.2 below. vi. Require a full range of facilities for cyclists and pedestrians such as showers and lockers in new retail/employment developments, where the cycle parking requirements exceed 5 spaces. Table 12.2: Bicycle parking requirements Land Use Bicycle Parking Requirement GFA = gross floor area Residential Apartment, Townhouse 1 space per bedroom9 and 1 visitor space per 2 apartments Student Accommodation/Residential schools, colleges or training centre 1 space per bedroom and 1 visitor space per 5 bed spaces Guest Houses and Hotels 1 space per 10 bedrooms and 1 space for every 5 members of staff Nursing Homes 1 visitor space for every 10 residents and 1 space for every 5 members of staff Retirement Homes/Sheltered Accommodation 1 visitor space for every 6 residents and 1 space for every 5 members of staff Hostels 1 space per 5 beds Hospital To be determined by Planning Authority Retail Convenience 1 space per 150sq m GFA Shopping Centre 1 space per 300sq m GFA Non-food Retail 1 space per 300sq m GFA Retail Warehouse 1 space per 250sq m GFA Retail Offices 1 space per 200sq m GFA Food and Drink 1 space per 50sq m of dining/drinking area 9 For studio units, at least 1 cycle storage space shall be provided. Design Standards for new Apartments- Guideline for Planning Authorities 2018

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   Chapter 12 Movement and Mobility Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 243 Employment General Offices 1 space per 50sq m GFA Light Industry, Business and Technology 1 space per 100sq m GFA Warehouses and Distribution 1 space per 200sq m GFA Financial and Professional Services 1 space per 50sq m GFA Culture, Leisure and Sports Use Cinema/Theatre 1 space for every 5 members of staff and 1 space per 30 seats Museums, Exhibition Venues 1 space for every 5 members of staff. Visitors spaces to be determined by Planning Authority Sports/Fitness Centre including Swimming Baths 1 space for every 50sq m net floor area or 1 space for every 30sq m of pool area and 1 space for every 30 seats provided for spectators Non-Residential Institutions Place of Worship, public halls and community centres 1 space per 20 persons Primary schools Cycle spaces to be provided for 20% of children and 1 space for every 5 members of staff Post primary schools Cycle spaces to be provided for 33% of children and 1 space for every 5 members of staff Further and Higher Education 1 space per 5 members of staff and 1 space for every 4 students Creches 1 space for every 5 members of staff and 1 space for 20 children Clinics/Surgeries 1 space for every 5 members of staff and 0.5 spaces per consulting room In the case of any use not specified above, the Council will determine the bicycle parking requirements, having regard to the likely trip generation of the development. Where a number of uses are contained within one development, and the applicant can demonstrate that parking spaces will be utilised throughout the day by a number of different users, the Council may take this into account when assessing the spaces required. In general, bicycle parking facilities should be within 25m of a destination for short term parking (shops) and 50m for long term parking (offices, schools etc). Cycle stands should generally be protected from the weather, in particular all long term (more than 3 hours) cycle stands. 12.5.2 Workplace Travel Plans Developments which have a large potential impact on trip generation may be required to draw up and implement Workplace Travel Plans (also known as Mobility Management Plans). Workplace Travel Plans are a mechanism by which developments can manage the mobility needs of their users and work towards reduced car dependency.

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   Chapter 12 Movement and Mobility Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 244 Development for which a Workplace Travel Plan could be applied includes the following: • Office • Office based industry • Other industry • Retail (large one-off stores and major town/district centre developments) • Retail warehousing • Warehousing and distribution • Places of education A Workplace Travel Plan may take the form of a formally published document, which outlines its measures and targets. Alternatively, it may simply evolve over time as different initiatives are piloted. Development Management Requirement: • To require Workplace Travel Plans for proposed trip intensive developments in existing and established trip intensive locations where onsite parking cannot be provided on site in accordance with Table 12.3. 12.6 Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy Regional Planning Objective 164 and Waterford MASP Policy objective 6(a) aims to develop a Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (WMATS) for the Waterford Metropolitan Area with the NTA, TII, Local Authorities and the relevant stakeholders, integrating priorities for the Metropolitan Area identified by the RSES and support investments in actions under this strategy. Kilkenny County Council supports this aim of the RSES and will facilitate the improved integration of the Ferrybank area of the MASP into the Waterford Metropolitan Transport Area whilst adhering to the principles of the concentric city model. The Transport Strategy will see the development of sustainable travel options to support and facilitate improved access to the Waterford City Centre, from the wider urban area, north and south of the river by walking, cycling and public transport including provision for Park and Ride facilities in tandem with the Green Route, and additional cycle lanes.

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   Chapter 12 Movement and Mobility Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 245 12.7 Public Transport The development of public transport is critical in achieving more sustainable travel patterns and a reduced reliance on the car. 12.7.1 Bus In areas of low to medium population, bus-based public transport can offer the most flexible means of providing services both for urban and inter-urban travel and can be introduced within a short time frame and at relatively low cost. Bus Éireann and a number of private operators operate services throughout County Kilkenny. Kenneally’s bus operates a regular city bus service in Waterford city, serving the area north of the bridge, including Ferrybank and Slieverue. Kilkenny County Council will co-operate in the development of a high-quality bus-based public transport system in the Waterford MASP area and in the identification of an optimum site for a Park and Ride facility. This will be reviewed in the Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, which is currently being drafted in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, Kilkenny County Council and Waterford City and County Council. MASP Objectives 12Q To, in combination with Waterford City and County Council, the NTA, TII and other stakeholders, undertake a Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy in accordance with Waterford MASP Objectives 6(a) and 6(b), covering the Waterford MASP area of County Kilkenny and to implement the adopted strategy to guide investment priorities in accordance with Waterford MASP Objectives 3. 12R Support the improved regional connectivity of Kilkenny with Waterford and the South East Region generally through the development and maintenance of Strategic Transport Infrastructure in accordance with Waterford MASP Objective 7 and to prioritise transport investment accordingly. 12S Develop the Link Road from the Abbey Road to the Belmont Road. 12T To carry out improvements to the Abbey Road from the boundary with Waterford City and County Council to facilitate smarter travel improvements to Abbey Road and connect to the Link Road in objective 12S above.

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   Chapter 12 Movement and Mobility Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 246 12.7.1.1 Kilkenny City Bus Network In conjunction with the National Transport Authority, a Local Bus Service for Kilkenny City was launched at the end of 2019. The Kilkenny City Bus Services was referenced by the NDP as an urban centre that would benefit from capital investment in bus services and infrastructure. The service consists of two routes, KK1 and KK2, operated by City Direct and funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA). The two routes combined serve 33 stops, feeding into a central spine crossing St. John’s Bridge to the City Centre, sharing stops at Parliament Street, Market Yard and John Street Upper. Bus shelters are provided at key locations. Both routes have circuitous alignments, designed to broaden their catchment areas including areas of high population density and low car ownership. 12.7.1.2 Regional Bus Services Kilkenny is well served by a number of regional services providing national and regional connectivity to key urban centres such as Dublin, Cork and Waterford. As there is no formal transport hub in Kilkenny, most regional services stop at Ormond Road, the Parade/ Kilkenny Castle or MacDonagh Junction. In addition to the two city bus services, six regional services cross St. John’s Bridge namely the: 817; 890; 891; 73; 600; and 881/2. 12.7.1.3 Local Link Rural Transport Programme Strategic Plan 2018 to 2022 Local Link is a service operated by the NTA to provide rural bus services across Ireland, both door-todoor and scheduled services in towns, villages and rural areas. The key priorities of this programme continue to be directed at addressing rural social exclusion and the integration of rural transport services with other public transport services. Local Link operates in Kilkenny under the local name ‘Ring a Link’. In addition to a number of scheduled services, some are Demand Responsive and must be booked in advance. These have flexible routes within a defined area to serve dispersed mobility needs, low demand hours and areas of low population. There are approximately 13 routes in operation. The Plan supports the development of public transport routes throughout the county through collaboration with the National Transport Authority. The Council supports the NTA’s Local Link Programme and the Plan acknowledge the role rural transport services and in particular the Local Link Rural Transport Programme can perform in providing for social and economic connectivity between small villages/rural areas and larger towns. 12.7.1.4 Bus Kilkenny County Council will facilitate the provision of bus shelters as appropriate. The Council will also facilitate parking provision for tourist buses where feasible in the city and towns and villages and at tourist attractions around the county as the need arises and as resources permit.

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   Chapter 12 Movement and Mobility Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 247 12.7.2 Rail There are two passenger railway lines in use in the county. A spur from Kilkenny City at Lavistown connects to the Dublin-Waterford main passenger line. There are stations on the line at Thomastown and Kilkenny City. The Waterford-Limerick passenger line runs in the south of the county, serving Waterford and Carrick-on-Suir stations. Belview Port is served by rail, connecting to the Waterford line, which facilitates the movement of freight. The RSES has the objective to strengthen rail connectivity, which includes increased frequency of services and reduced journey times between Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Dublin. It also includes improvements to the Rosslare-Waterford-Limerick Junction line (although the Rosslare to Waterford connection is no longer operational since 2010). It is Council policy to support increased frequency of services and reduced journey times between Kilkenny and Waterford/Dublin thereby enhancing the economic corridor between Waterford Metropolitan Area and the Key towns of Kilkenny and Carlow 12.7.2.1 Rail Freight There is major potential for more innovative and additional carriage of freight via the rail network. The RSES identified that rail cargo depots at Belview and Maddockstown (east of Kilkenny city) would facilitate the development of logistics businesses at these locations and would help to divert some heavy commercial traffic from the public road network. There are enormous environmental benefits in carrying freight using rail and properly run freight services offer huge potential to industry in the region, particularly at Belview. The use of the rail network for freight services will be promoted through appropriate land use measures. 12.7.3 Taxi Taxis and hackney services are an integral part of the City and County’s transport network. It is critical that the City and County are facilitated with adequate taxi services that are readily available at peak demand periods and provide a demand-responsive 24-hour door to- door service. The Council will continue to support improvements in taxi and hackney services in the County and will seek to ensure that all public transport services complement each other through the development of effective interchange opportunities. 12.8 Ports & Rivers The RSES notes that the ports of Belview and Rosslare are of strategic importance to the region. New Ross Port is Ireland’s only inland port, some 32 kilometres from the sea on the River Barrow. New Ross Port Company operates from Marshmeadows, to the east of the Barrow in Co. Wexford. Stafford’s Shipping yard is in operation in Rosbercon, in Co. Kilkenny. 12.8.1 Belview Belview Port was developed in 1992 and its subsequent growth has been a significant driver of economic development in the county. Belview is located on the River Suir about 10 miles upstream from the open sea, adjacent to the Dublin/Waterford M9 motorway.

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   Chapter 12 Movement and Mobility Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 248 Belview Port is a Tier 2 Port, identified in the RSES as Ireland’s closest multi-nodal port to Continental Europe with a significant capacity for growth. Belview is also listed on the Ten-T Network, which currently handles 1 million tonnes of primarily Agricultural bulk product and 100,000 tonnes of break bulk. An Area Action Plan for Belview was completed in 2002, which aimed to provide for portal and industrial development within a planning framework which safeguarded local environmental resources. To update this, a Local Area Plan (LAP) was made for the area of Ferrybank and Belview in 2009 and reviewed in 201710. IDA Ireland owns a Strategic Site in the Belview industrial area, which is suitable for large-scale projects11. During the course of the last Development Plan the Council along with the IDA and Department of Environment Community and Local Government invested significantly in upgrading water services at Belview. With improvements to the Belview Strategic Water Supply Scheme and the Gorteens Waste Water Treatment Plant, the port can now cater for expansion in suitable employment enterprises, as set out in the LAP and in Chapter 5. Belview is served by the Limerick to Rosslare railway line (Belview to Rosslare has been closed since 2010). Belview has direct access, via the N29 road, to and from National Primary Route N25 (Euroroute E30) and the Country’s motorway system. Belview was identified in the RSES as requiring improved rail access and will benefit from the upgrade of the adjacent railway line to improve accessibility for bulk freight and to build the region’s international connectivity. The upgrade of the N29 will enable lands to be released to facilitate Port expansion (See Section 12.11.6 National Road Objectives). The Council will support and promote the development of the necessary port infrastructure and associated industrial and distribution activities as well as associated rail and road connectivity required to support the development of the Port of Waterford, Belview. 10 Kilkenny County Council, Ferrybank Belview Local Area Plan, 2017 11 http://www.idaireland.com/connect-and-invest/waterford/ Objectives 12U Construct a roundabout on the N29 at the L3412 (Rathculliheen) junction. 12V Provide for traffic calming measures between the roundabout and the port gate on the N29. 12W To introduce a 60km/hr speed limit on the section of the N29 between the roundabout and the port gate.

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   Chapter 12 Movement and Mobility Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 249 12.9 Airports The Council recognises the importance of air travel in improving the attractiveness of the county for industrial, commercial and tourism development. The nearest airport to Kilkenny is the Waterford Airport, south of Waterford City centre. The Council supports the development of Waterford Airport as an important regional transport asset and the return of scheduled passenger services to and associated investment in Infrastructure. Kilkenny Airfield There is a privately-owned public use airfield located three miles to the west of Kilkenny City. 12.10 Universal Design Street design must be inclusive and provide for all, regardless of age, size, disability or ability. Streets and footpaths should be designed in accordance with the principles of Universal Design, as set out in Building for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach, External Environment and Approach12. The Council will ensure as far as feasible that areas are accessible to the broadest range of users, based on the principles of Universal Design. (See Section 13.3 Universal Design). The Design Manual for Urban roads and Streets (DMURS) and DMURS Interim Advice Note – Covid-19 Pandemic Response is also designed to respond to the principles of universal design. The Plan supports Regional Planning Objective 181 in the Southern Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy which aims to promote disability awareness and access for all. The Council will ensure that decision-making in relation to investment in infrastructure and facilities is informed by engagement with representatives of disability support organisations to ensure that perspectives of those they represent (e.g. wheelchair users) are understood and an appropriate level of environmental assessment undertaken. Development Management Requirements: • In the assessment of proposals where public realm works are involved whether public or private the Council will require such works to adhere to Universal design standard for public realm. 12.11 Road Network 12.11.1 Achievements Since the last Development Plan, the following projects have been completed: • A significant upgrade to the N25 including the new bridge across the River Barrow, which opened in January 2020, and has improved linkages between Waterford and Wexford/Rosslare. • Completion of the N76 Callan Road Realignment Scheme. • Completion of phase 1 of the Kilkenny Central Access Scheme incorporating St. Francis Bridge 12 Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, Building for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach, External Environment and Approach

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    Chapter 12 Movement and Mobility Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 250 • Completion of the N77 Ballynaslee to County boundary realignment. • Completion of R697 Kells Road Improvement Scheme. • In the Breagagh Valley, Kilkenny City, construction is underway of the link road between the Callan Rd and the Circular road 12.11.2 National Road Network The national road network caters for the efficient and safe movement of long-distance traffic. The network also provides strategic links for the towns within the county and within the South-East region as a whole. In order to protect the investment in these roads and to maintain their primary function, it will be necessary to restrict access and junctions to the network to a minimum. The capacity and efficiency of the national road network drainage regimes in County Kilkenny will be safeguarded for national road drainage purposes. There are 10 national roads in the county as follows: Road name Classification Description M8 Motorway Between M7 and Cork M9 Motorway Between M7 and N24 roundabout at Grannagh N9 Primary Between the M9/N24 roundabout and the N25 junction at Grannagh N10 Primary Kilkenny-Danesfort (M9 junction) N24 Primary Carrick-on-Suir – Grannagh N25 Primary Cork-Rosslare N29 Primary Belview access N76 Secondary Kilkenny-Clonmel N77 Secondary Kilkenny-Portlaoise N78 Secondary Kilkenny-Castlecomer-Kildare 12.11.3 Access to National Roads National policy in relation to access to national roads is set out in the Spatial Planning and National Road Guidelines (2012) and followed here. The Guidelines state that “The policy of the Planning Authority will be to avoid the creation of any additional access point from new development or the generation of increased traffic from existing accesses to national roads to which speed limits greater than 60kmh apply. This provision applies to all categories of development, including individual houses in rural areas, regardless of the housing circumstances of the applicant”[2]. It is the intention of the Planning Authority to develop and agree a policy for access off the national roads in conjunction with the TII; [2] Section 2.5 of Spatial Planning and National Roads, 2012

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