Leitrim County Development Plan 2023–2029

1. Page 191

   Cite this pagePDF p. 191 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   8.6 Modal Share in Leitrim In terms of obtaining information on modal share within the county, the Planning Authority is reliant on the 2016 Census of Population, from which the Place of Work, School or College Anonymised Records (POWSCAR) dataset is derived. The Council liaised with the National Transport Authority (NTA) in interrogating the POWSCAR dataset to derive modal share information in respect of internal journeys within settlements and journeys made from settlement to settlement within the county as well as external journeys beyond the county boundary. This analysis was also applied to Carrickon-Shannon/Cortober, given its status as a Key Town and in advance of the preparation of a Local Transport Plan for the town. The support of the NTA in providing this information to the Council is acknowledged. Table 8.1 and Figure 8.1 detail the modal share for persons travelling to work, school or college in Co. Leitrim for 2016. The modal share for commuting by private motor vehicle to work and education represents 77.1% (i.e. motor car driver and passenger, van and other including lorry), which is higher than the rest of the country at 68% and significantly above the national target of 45% for car commuting trips. This trend in modal share for the county is largely replicated in the context of Carrick-on-Shannon (Table 8.2 and Figure 8.2), where commuting by private motor vehicle (i.e. motor car driver and passenger, van and other including lorry) to work and education within the settlement represents 70.3% of the modal share. Whilst there is a discernible improvement in active travel patterns, with a 23.3% modal share for journeys by foot, compared to the 10.3% equivalent for the county, the relatively low levels of internal trips made by cycling remain a concern. Table 8.1: Modes of Travel to Work, School or College in Co. Leitrim 2016 Travel Mode Number of Persons % Modal Share On foot 1,854 10.3% Bicycle 98 0.5% Bus, minibus or coach 2,040 11.4% Train 105 0.6% Motorcycle or scooter 19 0.1% Motor car: Driver 8,612 48.0% Motor car: Passenger 3,759 21.0% Van 1,311 7.3% Other, Including lorry 141 0.8% Total 17,939 100% Source: CSO Census of Population 2016 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 181 8 Transport

2. Page 192

   Cite this pagePDF p. 192 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Figure 8.1 Modal share of trips generated in Co. Leitrim On foot 10.3% Other, inc. Lorry 0.8% Bicycle 0.5% Bus, minibus or coach 11.4% Motorcar: Passenger 21.0% Train, DART or LUAS 0.6% Motorcycle or scooter 0.6% Motorcar: Driver 48.0% Van 7.3% Source: CSO Census of Population 2016 Whilst the POWSCAR data does not capture behavioral aspects of modal choice, safety and convenience are typically key motivating factors for cycling. In this regard, some of the designated cycling network within Carrick-on-Shannon is not fully integrated or segregated from motor traffic, with a number of routes also coinciding with narrow carriageways or busy junctions and thoroughfares such as the Shannon Roundabout on the N4 road. In developing the Local Transport Plan to inform the LAP for Carrick-on-Shannon/Cortober, the Council will liaise with the NTA, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Roscommon County Council and other relevant stakeholders with a focus on achieving a substantial modal shift to more active travel, including cycling. The dominance of private car transportation is also reflected in Figure 8.3 which details the modal share of education generated trips within the county, categorised by distance travelled. Table 8.2: Modes of Travel to Work, School or College in Carrick-on-Shannon Travel Mode for Trips Number of Persons % Modal Share On foot 527 23.3% Bicycle 34 1.5% Bus, minibus or coach 92 4.1% Train 17 0.8% Motorcycle or scooter 1 0.0% Motor car: Driver 1058 46.8% Motor car: Passenger 449 19.9% Van 80 3.5% Other, Including lorry 3 0.1% Total 2,483 100% Source: CSO Census of Population 2016 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I182 8 Transport

3. Page 193

   Cite this pagePDF p. 193 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Figure 8.2: Modal Share of Trips Generated In Carrick-On-Shannon On foot 23.3% Other, inc. Lorry 0.1% Bicycle 1.5% Bus, minibus or coach 4.1% Motorcar: Passenger 19.9% Train, DART or LUAS 0.8% Motorcar: Driver 46.8% Van 3.5% Source: CSO Census of Population 2016 Figure 8.3: Modal share of education generated trips within Co. Leitrim categorised by distance travelled 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 0 1 2 3 4 6 8 10 15 20 30 50 Number of Persons Trip Distance (km) Walk Cycle Bus Train Motor Bike Car Car Passenger Van HGV Source: CSO Census of Population 2016 As depicted in Figure 8.3, even for education generated trips within the county of less than 1km, the private car dominates (car driver and car passenger), although for distances of 1–2km walking is marginally more popular than the private car. For distances between 2-8km the private car remains the dominant modal choice, although overtaken by bus transport for distances between 10km and 15km, reflecting the popularity and viability of the rural school bus network in the county. Again, the low uptake in cycling, particularly over short distances, is of particular concern. Whilst the reasons for this are unknown, owing to the large uptake in walking for trips up to 4km distances, concerns in relation to cycling safety, network design and security rather than inclement weather may be more likely factors in discouraging cycling. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 183 8 Transport

4. Page 194

   Cite this pagePDF p. 194 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   A similar pattern in modal share is found in work generated trips within the county based on distance, as depicted in Figure 8.4. For work generated trips up to 1km, walking is marginally the most popular form of travel (187 persons), closely followed by the private car (184 persons comprising of car drivers and passengers). For the remaining distances (i.e. 1km to 100km) for work generated trips within the county, the private car is the overwhelmingly dominant mode of transport with other sustainable and active forms of travel such as bus and cycling faring poorly in modal share. Figure 8.4: Modal share of work generated trips within Co. Leitrim categorised by distance travelled 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 0 1 2 3 4 6 8 10 15 20 30 50 100 Number of Persons Trip Distance (km) Walk Cycle Bus Train Motor Bike Car Car Passenger Van HGV Source: CSO Census of Population 2016 184 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 8 Transport

5. Page 195

   Cite this pagePDF p. 195 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   8.7 Promoting Sustainable Mobility Sustainable mobility is about the movement of people and goods in a manner that engenders quality of life and ease of access for all and seeks to encourage a modal shift in favour of public transport and other active modes. 25 The settlement of Carrick-on-Shannon shares an administrative boundary within Co. Roscommon with the Co Leitrim element of the settlement estimated to have comprised of 3,422 persons at the 2016 Census. Achieving significant modal shift and delivering a more sustainable mobility model is dependent on a wide range of factors including government investment in public transport, active travel and shared mobility as viable alternative travel options as well as conscious behavioural choices. Given the extent of the dispersed rural population within the county, the provision of public transport outside of the larger settlements of the county is a significant challenge in terms of viability and representing a viable alternative to the private car. For context, just 36.4% (11,648 persons25) of the total population of the county resided within the thirteen settlements which comprise Tiers 1-3 of the Settlement Hierarchy of this Plan. Furthermore, only Carrick-on-Shannon and probably Manorhamilton now exceed a population of 1,500 people which demonstrates the relatively small scale of settlements in our county. This Plan seeks to reduce the reliance on the private car by promoting and facilitating more sustainable modes of transport and supporting development in locations that would reduce the need to travel. Underpinning the various policies and objectives aimed at delivering more sustainable mobility is the ‘Avoid-Shift-Improve’ (ASI) Framework (as set out in Figure 8.5). This model is based on avoiding or reducing the need to travel, shifting to more environmentally friendly modes and improving the energy efficiency of motorised transport modes. The aim is to reduce congestion, enhance quality of life and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in our settlements. The increase in active travel modes will contribute to improved healthy lifestyles and is an essential response to climate change. Figure 8.5: Avoid-Shift-Improve Framework SUSTAINABILITY AVOID Avoid and reduce the need for travel Spatial planning • compact development • demand management Transport planning • integrate active modes of walking and cycling • integrate public transport modes of rail and bus Engineering • energy efficiency by vehicle and engine design • carbon efficiency by alternative vehicles and fuels SHIFT IMPROVE Decision Hierarchy Shift to sustainable modes Improve efficiency Source: Environmental Protection Agency LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 185 8 Transport

6. Page 196

   Cite this pagePDF p. 196 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Guided by the principles espoused in this framework, as well as other best practice examples in land use and transportation modelling, the Council will seek to influence overall travel demand and achieve a modal shift through land use planning, optimising opportunities to make sustainable travel choices, providing a high-quality transport network and system which is effective, accessible and responsive to technological change and reduces the contribution of transport to climate change. Reduction in trip generation for the private car is a particular challenge for Co. Leitrim. Modal share was recorded at a rate of 77% (2016 Census) which remains well in excess of key national modal share target of 45% modal share for the private car by 2020 as set out in the previous national transport policy document, ‘Smarter Travel – A Sustainable Transport Future 2009-2020’. This policy document also set out a target of 55% of total commuter journeys to work being undertaken by walking, cycling and public transport by 2020. For comparison, 24.4% of equivalent commuter journeys were undertaken in Co. Leitrim based on the 2016 Census data. In facilitating a change towards a more sustainable mobility model, there is a need to ensure that alternatives to the car are integrated in the design of streets and public spaces, prioritising cycling and walking as active transport modes. Moreover, a collaborative approach between the Council and key transport providers such as the National Transport Authority (NTA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and key stakeholders will be required to facilitate this change. Achieving sustainable mobility will require a suite of actions which involves: ● focusing population and employment growth in urban areas ● providing alternative options to the car, namely, walking, cycling and public transport ● improving fuel efficiency, promoting energy efficient driving and alternative technologies ● permeability and accessibility improvements The challenge for Co. Leitrim within the lifetime of this Plan is to, therefore, integrate land use and transportation policy and give greater emphasis to the factors that have a positive role in promoting sustainable transport to reduce levels of car dependency such as: ● Promoting higher densities at appropriate locations; ● Mixing land uses; ● Designing for compact settlement forms; and ● Concentrating appropriate development on transport corridors and linkages. The management of space in town and village centres should deliver a high level of priority and permeability for walking and cycling to create accessible, attractive, vibrant and safe places to work, live, shop and engage in community life. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I186 8 Transport

7. Page 197

   Cite this pagePDF p. 197 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   POLICIES MSSM POL 1 To support sustainable mobility, enhanced regional accessibility and connectivity within Co. Leitrim in accordance with the National Policy Outcomes of the National Planning Framework 2040 and the National Development Plan. MSSM POL 2 To promote the transition to a low carbon integrated transport system through the use of design solutions and innovative approaches with regards to the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets and the complementary publication ‘The Treatment of Transition Zones to Towns and Villages on National Roads’ by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and subsequently to shift to environmentally sustainable modes of transport. MSSM POL 3 To continue to work with the relevant transport providers, agencies and stakeholders to facilitate the integration of active travel (walking and cycling) with public transport. (See also ST POL 5 in Chapter 12 - Climate Change and Renewable Energy in this regard) MSSM POL 4 To promote more compact development forms that reduce overall demand for private transport and support proposals that encourage modal shift towards sustainable travel modes. MSSM POL 5 To encourage better integration of transport services with the aim of reducing car trips by encouraging and fostering improved consultation and co-operation between both public and private providers of transport services operating in the county and wider region, including all providers of bus and rail services. OBJECTIVES MSSM OBJ 1 To prepare a Local Transport Plan in collaboration with the National Transport Authority (NTA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Roscommon County Council and other relevant stakeholders for the Key Town of Carrick-on-Shannon and establish specific modal share targets for the town to be incorporated into the forthcoming Carrickon-Shannon Local Area Plan. This will include devising and implementing an effective monitoring programme for the achievement of the modal share targets contained therein. MSSM OBJ 2 To prepare a transport strategy for the county in co-operation with other transport agencies to include the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport within 2 years of the publication of the POWSCAR data from the 2022 Census. The transport strategy will outline measures, if implemented, to achieve an agreed modal share target for private car for total commuter journeys within the county and a target of total commuter journeys to be undertaken by sustainable mobility modes such as walking, cycling and public transport within the life of this Plan. This will include devising and implementing an effective monitoring programme for the achievement of the modal share targets contained therein. (See also ST OBJ 1 in Chapter 12 - Climate Change and Renewable Energy in this regard.) LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 187 8 Transport

8. Page 198

   Cite this pagePDF p. 198 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   8.8 Walking and Cycling Walking and cycling are the most sustainable modes of transport and are key components to movement and accessibility in urban and inter-urban areas. Benefits accruing for both the environment and population, include reducing air and noise pollution and traffic congestion as well as contributing to healthy and more active lifestyles. Encouraging and promoting walking and cycling as a sustainable mode of transport and moving away from reliance on the private car will depend on providing well connected and integrated pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. Pedestrian and cycle facilities will be most successful where they form a coherent network, place an emphasis on safety, and directly serve the main areas where people wish to travel. POLICIES WC POL 1 To promote walking and cycling as efficient, healthy and environmentally friendly modes of transport by securing the development of a network of direct, comfortable, convenient and safe cycle routes and footpaths, particularly in town centres and in the vicinity of schools. WC POL 2 To work with all relevant stakeholders to seek to ensure a significant increase in walking in Co. Leitrim, by emphasising the quality of the pedestrian and street environment, promoting simplified streetscapes and ensuring access for all. WC POL 3 To design pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in accordance with the principles, approaches and standards set out in the National Cycle Manual, the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets and international best practice. WC POL 4 To require that consideration be given to sustainable transport movement at the earliest design stage of development proposals, to ensure accessibility by all modes of transport and all sections of society and promote the provision of parking space for bicycles in development schemes. WC POL 5 To work with the National Trails Office, Coillte, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Transport and other relevant stakeholders, to improve on the existing level of infrastructure and facilities for walking and cycling in Co. Leitrim. WC POL 6 To require adequate filtered permeability solutions in relation to large-scale residential, commercial or mixed-use development proposals (both in terms of new development and retrofitting into existing built-up areas) to facilitate active travel, accessibility and connectivity in settlements. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I188 8 Transport

9. Page 199

   Cite this pagePDF p. 199 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   OBJECTIVES WC OBJ 1 To support the establishment of a network of interlinked cycle ways and walkways in the county and linking with the adjoining counties, having regard to best practice standards including the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets and the NTA Cycle Manual or any amending/superseding national guidance or manuals. WC OBJ 2 To enhance placemaking and improve pedestrian and cycle connectivity to existing train stations (Carrick-on-Shannon and Cortober) and improve bus stops/future transport interchanges. WC OBJ 3 To improve the streetscape environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and people with special mobility needs by providing facilities to enhance safety and convenience, including separation for pedestrian infrastructure from vehicular traffic. WC OBJ 4 To investigate the feasibility of providing a ‘Bike Sharing Scheme’ for Carrick-on-Shannon to facilitate and encourage modal shift. WC OBJ 5 To identify and implement a programme of footpath extensions in towns and villages to ensure that all multiple housing developments are connected to their respective urban centres to promote walking as a sustainable mode of transport. The implementation of this programme is dependent on funding programmes being identified. WC OBJ 6 To work with the Active Travel Initiative of the National Transport Authority to deliver a network of cycle routes in towns in order to encourage cycling as an everyday mode choice, in particular to provide cycling infrastructure near schools. LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 189 8 Transport

10. Page 200

    Cite this pagePDF p. 200 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
    8.9 Blueways and Greenways The Council recognises the numerous benefits arising from the further development of Blueways and Greenways in Leitrim, as a tourism product with significant potential to attract internal and overseas visitors, for local communities in terms of economic benefits, and for all users as an amenity for physical activity and a contributor to health and wellbeing. Accordingly, it is Council policy to continue to expand and create an integrated network of Blueways and Greenways across the county and maximise pedestrian and cycle access to same. Blueways are a network of multi-activity recreational trails, based on or alongside lakes, canals and rivers. They provide scenic routes into the heart of rural Co. Leitrim by walking, cycling, canoeing, kayaking or stand-up boarding. Leitrim County Council in partnership with Waterways Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, have developed a valuable Blueway product over the past number of years between Battlebridge and Drumshanbo along the Leitrim Canal including the impressive floating boardwalk section at Acres Lake and onwards to connect to the Lough Allen Hotel & Lough Allen Centre at Currachuill, Drumshanbo. More recently, work has been completed on sections of the Ballinamore to Ballyconnell Canal between Leitrim Village and Kilclare along the former towpath. Carrick-on-Shannon and Drumshanbo form part of the Shannon Blueway with Leitrim Village and Ballinamore forming part of the Shannon Erne Blueway. The Council is currently undertaking environmental feasibility studies of options to link Carrick-on-Shannon to Leitrim Village and Battlebridge by way of dedicated Blueway. This project is also included in the approved Shannon Master Plan within the Hidden Heartlands area. Greenways are off-road routes for walkers, cyclists and other forms of non-motorised transport which are often created along abandoned rail lines. There are proposals to develop the former Sligo Leitrim Northern Counties Railway (SLNCR) between Collooney and Enniskillen (through Dromahair, Manorhamilton and Glenfarne) and the Cavan and Leitrim rail line between Dromod and Belturbet (through Mohill, Fenagh, Ballinamore and Garradice) as greenways. Demonstration stretches have been developed along the SLNCR at Dromahair, Manorhamilton and Glenfarne whilst one is under construction linking Ballinamore with Corgar Lake on the former Cavan and Leitrim rail line. It is planned to extent the latter demonstration stretch onwards to Aughawillan. Leitrim County Council received confirmation of funding from the Department of Transport to bring the SLNCR Greenway project through the planning process, detailed design and get the project ready for construction. This project requires the co-operation of four Local Authorities – Sligo, Leitrim and Cavan County Councils along with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. The Cavan Leitrim Greenway project requires the cooperation of Cavan County Council and a preliminary feasibility study including screening for Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment has been completed. The Council will continue to work with Cavan County Council and local rail to trail groups to bring this project to planning and design stage. 190 LEITRIM COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2029 – VOLUME I 8 Transport

Source Leitrim County Council: Leitrim County Development Plan 2023–2029 (2023–2029) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.