Laois County Development Plan 2021–2027

1. Page 201

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   Chapter 10 Infrastructure 199 | P a g e Parking Policy Objectives TRANS 30 Ensure adequate space shall be made for the servicing of the facility, including loading and unloading of vehicles, which should be provided for within the site curtilage and should not interfere with the operation of adjacent public Thoroughfares. TRANS 31 Ensure that cycle Parking will normally be required in development schemes and the Council shall promote and encourage the provision of cycle spaces in public carparks and appropriate locations in towns and villages throughout the county. Where appropriate, cycle spaces shall be provided in prominent and secure locations convenient to building entrances. TRANS 32 Ensure that Age Friendly Parking spaces are provided in main towns, near strategic areas e.g. Post office, credit union, doctors’ surgery, civic buildings, etc. Parking Development Management Standard DM TRANS 6 DISABLED PARKING Disabled Parking will be calculated based on the following: Buildings not normally visited by the public: • Minimum of one space of appropriate dimensions in every 26 standard spaces, up to the first 100 spaces, thereafter, one space per 100standard spaces or part thereof. Shops and buildings with public access: • Minimum one space of appropriate dimensions in the first 26 standard spaces, minimum 3 in 26-60 standard spaces, five in 60- 100 standard spaces and additional three per every 100 standard spaces in excess thereof. Spaces shall be a minimum of 3.75m wide and 5m long and clearly marked with a highly visible symbol. Spaces should be located at the nearest point possible to the entrance to the facility served. DM TRANS 7 PARKING IN FRONT GARDENS The cumulative effect of removal of front garden walls and railings damages the appearance of suburban streets and roads. Consequently, proposals for off street parking need to be balanced against loss of amenity. Where permitted, “drive-ins” should: • Not have outward opening gates; • Have a vehicular entrance of generally not less than 4m; • Have an area of hard standing (parking space of 2.5m x 5m); • Retain the balance as garden; • Have gates, walls or railings.

2. Page 202

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   Chapter 10 Infrastructure 200 | P a g e DM TRANS 8 CAR PARKING DIMENSIONS • Car parking bay: 5m x 2.5m • Loading bay: 6m x 3m • Circulation aisles: 6m wide DM TRANS 9 CAR PARKS Surface car parks shall be designed to: • Avoid an oppressive effect on the public realm and to provide for pedestrian mobility; • Create a pleasant environment through the use of soft landscaping including tree planting and planter boxes within large car parking areas, variation in the choice of surfacing material and the delineation of pedestrian routes; • Ensure disabled parking to be located as close to the destination entrance as possible and highlighted by way of signage and colour variation. DM TRANS 10 CYCLE PARKING The following table gives guidance on the minimum number of cycle parking which should be provided at new developments. Apartment developments 2 private secure spaces per 100 sq. m (design should not require bicycle access via living area) 1 visitor bicycle space per twohousing unit Offices 10% of employee numbers, (subject to a minimum of 10 bicycle places or one bike space for every car space, whoever is the greater) Schools 10% of pupil registration numbers, minimum 10 places Consider separate teacher / employee parking Other developments 1 bike space for every car space Shops 1 space for every 100 sq. m Public transport pick-up points (rail, bus) 205% of daily boarders at that point/station, subject to minimum of 10 bicycle places

3. Page 203

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   Chapter 10 Infrastructure 201 | P a g e Off- street parking (incl. Multi-storey) 10% of total car spaces, subject to aminimum of 50 spaces Events 5% of forecast attendees 10.1.6 ELECTRIC VEHICLES (EV) In 2008, the Government launched an Electric Transport Programme with a target that 10 percent of the national road transport fleet be electrically powered by 2020. Most recently the Climate Action Plan set an ambitious target of achieving 100% or 950,000 of all new cars and vans to be EVs by 2030. Developing the infrastructure for alternatively fuelled vehicles will be a vital step in encouraging consumers to make more environmentally friendly transport choices. In 2020, there was a total of 18 electric charging points registered throughout the County, 10 located in Portlaoise, 2 located in Mountmellick and 6 located in Portarlington. It shall be the responsibility of the companies supplying the EV points to maintain and update the equipmentto the current standards. Electric Vehicle Policy Objectives TRANS 33 Support the growth of Electric Vehicles with support infrastructure, through a rollout of additional electric charging points in collaboration with relevant agenciesat appropriate locations, both on street and in new developments. TRANS 34 All developments should provide facilities for the charging of battery-operated cars at a rate of up to 10% of the total car parking spaces. The remainder of the parking spaces should be constructed so as to be capable of accommodating future charging points, as required. TRANS 35 New residential development should accommodate at least one car parking space equipped with an EV charging points for every ten car parking spaces being provided for the associated development. 10.1.7 PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS Government policy, as set out in the publications “Smarter Travel – A New Transport Policy for Ireland 2009-2020” and the “National Cycle Policy Framework 2009-2020”, clearly places an emphasis on walking and cycling as alternatives to vehicular transport which reduces greenhouse gas emissions, noise and pollution. The National Cycle Policy Framework states that by 2020, 10% of journeys should be by bicycle. The Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets [DTTS and DHPLG, 2019) advocates assigning higher priority to pedestrian and cycling without unduly compromising vehicular movement. A Walking and Cycling Strategy was undertaken during the last plan period for County Laois. 10.1.7.1 Greenways Ireland has significantly invested in developing a network of strategic greenways across the Country. Although Laois has yet to secure a designated greenway, the feasibility of developinga 24km greenway along a dismantled railway line on privately-held lands between Mountmellick, Portlaoise and Abbeyleix and integrate into a wider network of off-road trails in Counties Kildare, Carlow, Kilkenny and Offaly is being considered.

4. Page 204

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   Chapter 10 Infrastructure 202 | P a g e The Council recognises the numerous benefits arising of providing greenways such as a safe place to walk and cycle away from traffic, a safe commuting route to school and work and the value of healthy exercise. There is also an economic benefit and the creation of jobs from cycle hire to service jobs in the food and construction sectors. Map 10.1: Walking Trails

5. Page 205

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   Chapter 10 Infrastructure 203 | P a g e Map 10.2: Cycling Routes Pedestrian and Cyclist Policy Objectives TRANS 36 Encourage walking and cycling through the provision of the necessary infrastructure and also provide a mix of land uses which generate short trip distances to combat sedentary transport patterns. All new development proposals shall be required to provide for well integrated pedestrian and cycling networks. TRANS 37 Support the installation of infrastructure measures (for example new/wider pavements, road crossings and cycle parking facilities), retrofitted if necessary, which facilitates, and encourages safe walking and cycling. TRANS 38 Promote cycling and pedestrian friendly development layouts, provide facilities at public transport nodes, towns and villages, plan for and make provision for the integration of cyclist and pedestrian needs when considering new development proposals to promote Laois as a walking and cycling destination. TRANS 39 Investigate the possibility of developing and utilising existing abandoned road/ rail and laneways infrastructure for the purposes of walking and cycling. TRANS 40 Support the principle of delivering a cycling link between the towns of: • Tullamore – Mountmellick • Mountmellick - Portlaoise

6. Page 206

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   Chapter 10 Infrastructure 204 | P a g e Pedestrian and Cyclist Policy Objectives • Portlaoise - Stradbally • Stradbally - Graiguecullen/Carlow • Routing any link away from the N80 and tying into the Barrow Way Seek the establishment of cycle links between the towns of: • Portlaoise, Kildare Town, Newbridge and Naas • Portlaoise and Athy • Portlaoise and Kilkenny via Abbeyleix and Durrow; Support the development of on-road cycle lanes to link towns and villages located along the R445 & R639 and if permitted proceed with works • Portlaoise – Monasterevin • Borris-in-Ossory – Roscrea • Durrow – Cullahill; TRANS 41 Support the development of and secure funding for a Greenway along adismantled railway line on between Mountmellick, Portlaoise and Abbeyleix. TRANS 42 Support the development of Town Based Bike Hire Scheme, similar to “Dublin Bikes”. Barrow Blueway Policy Objectives TRANS 43 Promote the Barrow Blueway and surrounding area as an Activity Hub in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. TRANS 44 Designate on-road cycling trails to link the Barrow Navigation with Portlaoise, Stradbally and Portarlington and to link the Barrow Navigation with the Killeshin Plateau. Trails to include points of interest such as Emo Court, the Rock of Dunamaise, Killeshin Romanesque Doorway and the Dancing Boards viewing point. Slieve Bloom Walking and Cycling Activity Hub Policy Objectives TRANS 45 Investigate the feasibility of developing a National Scale Centre for Off-Road Mountain-Biking in the Slieve Bloom Mountains, subject to planning permission & the Habitats’ and Birds Directives. TRANS 46 Investigate the feasibility of designating and promoting the Slieve Blooms as a Walking and Cycling Activity Hub. TRANS 47 Continue to audit, maintain and promote walking trails and walking events in the Slieve Blooms, subject to planning permission & the Habitats’ and Birds Directives.

7. Page 207

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   Chapter 10 Infrastructure 205 | P a g e TRANS 48 Designate the following graded on-road cycling trails in the Slieve Blooms; install related signage and improve road surfaces along these trails, as resources allow; produce trail maps and market the trails , subject to the Habitats’ and Birds Directives; • H1. Cut Cycle Climb • H2. Wolftrap Cycle Climb • H3. Glendine Cycle Climb • H4. Mountrath-Clonaslee Trail • H5. Camross Coolrain Trail • H6. Castletown Mountrath Trail South Laois Walking and Cycling Hub Policy Objectives TRANS 49 Designate and promote South Laois as an Activity Hub. TRANS 50 Support ancillary or complementary recreational uses in the area, such as the establishment of canoe trails, bridle trails and angling. TRANS 51 Develop on-road cycle trail with a Rathdowney Trailhead to facilitate sporting and general cycling as well as link points of interest including Donaghmore Workhouse and Museum, Aghaboe Abbey, views of Gortnaclea Castle, Clough Village, Grantstown Lake and River Erkina. TRANS 52 Establish a new Woodenbridge Walking Trail linking Durrow and Ballacolla,subject to the Habitats’ Directive. TRANS 53 Promote the physical and health benefits of walking, for example through Get Into Walking Workshops, the Annual Laois Walks Festival and other community /stakeholder organised walking events in Laois. TRANS 54 Foster the development of initiatives such as walking buses to serve schools and continue the Green Schools Programme, cyclist safety and cycling to school during schools-based Road Safety Workshops. TRANS 55 Foster the development of additional walking routes with trailheads in or close to Laois towns and villages, using National Trails Office toolkits, where an underprovision of walking trails exists, for example in Rathdowney and Borris-in-Ossory. TRANS 56 Encourage the provision of facilities to support commuting by bike by large employers, such as workplace shower rooms and lockers via workplace workshops. TRANS 57 Support the designation of forest cycling areas in Laois such as at cycle club trails at Durrow, Cullenagh, Fossy and Cullahill Mountain. 10.1.8 PUBLIC TRANSPORT Key public transport corridors exist within County Laois. It is the aim of Laois County Council to facilitate a modal shift in transportation from car based modes to more sustainable forms of integrated public transport. In order to ensure developments are sustainable, land use and transportation planning (including non-motorised modes) has to be coordinated and integrated. Future development layouts should be designed to reduce trip generation, especially by cars. Laois County Council seeks to reduce car dependency and promote a balanced transportation strategy.

8. Page 208

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   Chapter 10 Infrastructure 206 | P a g e This strategy shall combine and connect the Bus & Rail connectivity hubs. A proposed bus route within the town of Portlaoise is currently at design stage and is being considered to provide interconnection between the Bus route and Portlaoise Train Station. 10.1.8.1 Rail County Laois is well served by a number of mainline and commuter train services. Mainline infrastructure consists of the main Dublin/Cork line with stations at Portarlington, Portlaoise and Ballybrophy. The Galway/Westport line via Athlone branches off at Portarlington and at Ballybrophy there is a branch line to Limerick via Nenagh which collectively provides strategic links within and beyond the County, facilitating lower carbon transport and mobility for people and freight. In addition, there are extensive daily commuter services between Portlaoise and Portarlington and Dublin which have played a central role in the residential expansion of these towns. Proposals for additional car and cycle parking at train stations within the County will be delivered during this plan period – permission has been granted for an additional 90 approx spaces at Portlaoise and further plans for Ballybrophy are being considered. Recent roll-out of rail related infrastructure in the County includes provision of car parking facilities at Portarlington and Portlaoise stations and the development of a national train service depot located at J17 (Togher), Portlaoise. Further opportunities exist to develop a light rail link between the main line service at Portlaoise and the J17 National Enterprise Park in order to develop a large inter modal facility. Laois County Council will fully encourage and facilitate the provision of bus, cycle and pedestrian facilities and linkages in the vicinity of rail stations to support the Smarter Travel 2009-2020 policy. 10.1.8.2 Bus Bus Éireann operates daily mainline services to and from the main population centres of County Laois. Intra-regional services are provided to Limerick, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Tullamore and Athlone. This level of national and regional service is augmented by a number of private operators with dedicated student orientated services to third level colleges in Athlone and Carlow. Aircoach runs a direct service from Cork to Dublin Airport with collection points in Portlaoise. At a more local, rural level, the National Transport Authority funded Local Link Rural Transport Programme services, which are managed by Local Link Laois Offaly aimed at addressing rural social exclusion and the integrationof rural transport services with other public transport services. This service provides door to door and semi-fixed route services, mainly in the west of the County, connecting these outlying rural areas to Portlaoise and other large towns in the County such as Mountmellick, Borris-in- Ossory, Rathdowney, Ballacolla, Durrow, Abbeyleix and Ballyroan. The service also provides destinations outside of the County to Tullamore, Carlow, Athlone and Roscrea. Other bus services are run by the Department of Education and the Health Service Executive in relation to their own functions. Public Transport Policy Objectives TRANS 58 Support the maintenance and enhancement of rail infrastructure and associated facilities in County Laois, particularly the: a) Examination of options for how to increase the capacity of the Dublin to Galway line; b) Develop a light rail link between the main line service at Portlaoise and the J17 National Enterprise Park in order to develop a large inter modalfacility; c) Facilitate the development of additional car, coach and cycle parking at

9. Page 209

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   Chapter 10 Infrastructure 207 | P a g e Public Transport Policy Objectives the train stations within the County – Portarlington, Portlaoise and Ballybrophy. TRANS 59 Support provision of additional rail links within the midlands region or otherregions adjoining County Laois. TRANS 60 Encourage co-ordination by providers to promote linked up services enabling complete coverage of the county independent of private vehicular transport and promote the provision of appropriately sited and designed facilities, bus shelters and bus lanes which facilitate increased public transport usage. TRANS 61 Facilitate and encourage the upgrading of existing railway stations, and protect,as required, lands necessary for the upgrading of existing railway lines or stations or the provision of new railway stations throughout the County. TRANS 62 Support the provision of bus services, connecting key towns in Laois with Dublin, Dublin Airport, Kilkenny, Carlow, Roscrea, Tullamore and other towns. TRANS 63 Support the Rural Transport Programme and other rural transport providers to facilitate and promote sustainable options for rural transport given the increased running costs. TRANS 64 Support the provision of a Park and ride facility at Junction 17 to encourage sustainable transport measures and facilitate a strategic park and ride link to public transport facilities within Portlaoise and links to other destinations including Dublin City & Dublin Airport. 10.1.9 COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS The Planning Authority supports the development of CNG Infrastructure which will enable fuel switching from diesel to CNG for HGVs and buses at appropriate locations. This is a renewable and carbon neutral fuel, produced using AD technology from existing waste streams and a variety of sustainable biomass sources, including grass, animal waste, crop residues and food waste. Compressed Natural Gas Policy Objectives CNG 1 The Council will support the development of Compressed Natural Gas refuelling infrastructure on appropriate sites, provided that relevant planning and environmental criteria are satisfied. 10.2 SURFACE WATER, DRAINAGE AND FLOODING 10.2.1 SURFACE WATER & DRAINAGE A major by-product of development in both urban and rural areas in County Laois is surface and storm water run-off. The management of surface and storm water is important so as to avoid increased flood or pollution risk in the storm water network, rivers and streams in the county’s towns, villages and rural areas. The Council will require compliance with best practice guidance for the collection, reuse, treatment and disposal of surface waters for all future development proposals.

10. Page 210

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    Chapter 10 Infrastructure 208 | P a g e 10.2.1.1 Sustainable Drainage Systems Sustainable Drainage Systems, commonly known as SuDS is an approach that seeks to manage the water as close as possible to its origin by various engineering solutions that replicate natural drainage processes, before it enters the watercourse. The incorporation of SuDS techniques allows surface water to be either infiltrated or conveyed more slowly to water courses using porous surface treatments, ponds, swales, filter drains or other installations andto minimise the risk of flooding and contamination and to protect environmental and water resources. SuDS provide an integrated approach which addresses water quantity, water quality, and helps to incorporate climate mitigation measures into development. Surface Water and Drainage Policy Objectives SWD 1 Support in conjunction with Irish Water the improvement of storm water infrastructure to improve sustainable drainage and reduce the risk of flooding in urban environments. SWD 2 Implement policies contained in the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study (GDSDS) in relation to SUDS and climate change. SWD 3 Ensure new development is adequately serviced with surface water drainage infrastructure which meets the requirements of the Water Framework Directive, associated River Basin Management Plans and CFRAM Management Plans. SWD 4 Require that planning applications are accompanied by a comprehensive SUDs assessment that addresses run-off quantity, run-off quality and its impact on the existing habitat and water quality. SWD 5 Ensure that in public and private developments in urban areas, both within developments and within the public realm, seek to minimise and limit the extent of hard surfacing and paving and require the use of sustainable drainage techniquesfor new development or for extensions to existing developments, in order to reduce the potential impact of existing and predicted flooding risks. SWD 6 Ensure appropriate maintenance of surface water drainage infrastructure to avoid flood risk. SWD 7 Ensure that all storm water generated in a new development is disposed of on‐site oris attenuated and treated prior to discharge to an approved storm water system. SWD 8 Promote storm water retention facilities for new developments and to incorporate design solutions that provide for collection and recycling of surface water in accordance with Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems as recommended in the Planning System and Flood Risk Management: Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DoEHLG, 2009) and Laois County Council’s Roads and Drainage Standards, or as amended. Sustainable Drainage Systems Development Management Standard DM SWD 1 SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS Detailed proposals for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) should be submitted which demonstrate that the development would not result in surface water discharges affecting neighbouring lands without agreement and/or the public road. The following should be taken into consideration:

Source Laois County Council: Laois County Development Plan 2021–2027 (2021–2027) · 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.