Development plan · Limerick City and County Council
Limerick Development Plan 2022–2028 (as varied)
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Limerick City and County Council · 2022–2028 · 414 pages
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- Chapter 7: Sustainable Mobility and Transport219 line. Irish Rail supports the protection of the Foynes line as far as Foynes Port, as it could facilitate a further extension to Shannon Foynes Port for freight services. Objective TR O16 Rail Network It is an objective of the Council to: a) Explore a pathway to rail-based development in the review of the RSES and MASP, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority and the Southern and Western Regional Assemblies; b) Support and facilitate new and upgrading of existing rail networks, railway stations and services across Limerick as identified in LSMATS and protect, as required, lands necessary for the upgrading of existing railway lines or stations, which would improve journey times and enable an increase in the frequency of services and connections. Objective TR O17 Limerick to Foynes Line It is an objective of the Council to retain the Limerick to Foynes rail line and avoid encroachment of inappropriate development, which may compromise the line’s potential future use. 7.5.9 Park and Ride/Stride Facilities Park and Ride facilities integrate car use with public transport and assist those living in remote locations not well served by public transport to access public transport connections. It is important that park and ride facilities improve public transport accessibility without unduly intensifying road congestion or increasing the total distance travelled by car. The Draft LSMATS has identified a number of locations in Limerick for Park and Ride. The Council will support the delivery of Park and Ride facilities as identified in the final LSMATS. In addition to Park and Ride facilities, Park and Stride can also assist in reducing congestion, particularly in the last 10 minutes of the journey, the use of such sites in close proximity to schools, can reduce or eliminate the congestion at the school gates. Objective TR O18 Park and Ride Facilities It is an objective of the Council to facilitate the provision of Park and Ride facilities in line with the final Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy and to investigate the feasibility of the provision of ‘park and ride’ facilities. These facilities shall accommodate suitable electric charging structures, carpooling, car sharing and bike sharing infrastructure to incorporate car parking and a bus stop/terminus at appropriate locations as identified in the final LSMATS. In pursuing the objective to facilitate the provision of Park and Ride, the Council will co-operate closely with relevant transport bodies, authorities and agencies. Objective TR O19 Park and Stride Facilities It is an objective of the Council to investigate the potential of providing a number of ‘Park and Stride’ facilities in appropriate locations in Limerick. 7.5.10 Car Clubs/Car Sharing and Car Pooling ‘Car clubs’ and ‘pool car schemes’ are shared pools of cars available locally for short term hire and are a convenient alternative to car ownership. They allow for occasional car use but discourage unnecessary car journeys. Car sharing schemes involve members prebooking the use of communal cars for their personal use, thereby reducing the number of cars on the roads and helping the environment. They allow members access to a car when they need it, from a place near their home or workplace, without the costs of owning a car. They are an important method of facilitating the reduction of car ownership and supporting the shift to low carbon modes.
- LIMERICK DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028220 The Council will seek - in accordance with the Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2020) – the provision of car clubs in residential developments, particularly where a reduction in car parking is being sought. Objective TR O20 Car Clubs/Car Sharing It is an objective of the Council to support the set up and operation of car clubs/ car sharing and car-pooling schemes to facilitate an overall reduction in car journeys and car parking requirements. 7.5.11 Electric and Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles In 2008, the Government launched an Electric Transport Programme with a target that 10% 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 electric vehicles (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. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a natural gas that has been compressed to fit into a vehicle’s tank and is particularly suitable for use in commercial vehicles. The development of CNG infrastructure enables switching from diesel fuel to CNG for HGVs and buses. CNG is an established technology that is used in many countries around the world. CNG contains virtually no particulate matter (PM) and also has low emission levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx), which is beneficial from an air quality perspective. CNG vehicles can be run on 100% renewable gas. This is a renewable and carbon neutral fuel, produced using anaerobic digestion technology from existing waste streams and a variety of sustainable biomass sources, including grass, animal waste, crop residues and food waste. Infrastructure development for CNG is already underway in Ireland, with 14 fast fill CNG stations being installed across the Core TEN-T road network via a project called the Causeway Study that is supported by the European Commission through the CEF Transport Fund, and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). The Council will support the use of gas in transport by a presumption in favour of applications for CNG refuelling infrastructure, provided planning and environmental criteria are adequately addressed. Objective TR O21 Electric and Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles It is an objective of the Council to: a) Encourage the switch to Electric Vehicles and e-bikes through the roll-out of additional electric charging points at appropriate locations, throughout Limerick, in association with relevant agencies and stakeholders; b) Facilitate the provision of electricity charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, both on street and in new developments, in accordance with the Development Management Standards set out in Chapter 11; c) Encourage the switch to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles through the roll-out of additional CNG points at appropriate locations, throughout Limerick, in association with relevant agencies and stakeholders.
- Chapter 7: Sustainable Mobility and Transport221 7.5.12 Micro-Mobility Micro-mobility refers to personal vehicles such as bikes and scooters including electric and dockless models. Micro-mobility has emerged in recent years and e-scooters in particular, have become a visibly more popular transport mode in Limerick. Micromobility allows for a convenient and flexible level of local mobility, supporting better connections with public transport and enabling active mobility intermodal trips. New legislation is due to be approved to regulate the use of e-scooters in public places in Ireland. Objective TR O22 Micro-Mobility It is an objective of the Council to facilitate and support the use of scooters, e-scooters and emerging personal mobility modes of travel in line with relevant legislation. 7.5.13 Mobility Management Plans Mobility Management Plans/Workplace Travel Plans are proposals, which will minimise the impact of the traffic generated by their development. They include mitigation measures which will take account of the findings of a Traffic and Transport Assessment (TTA) and a series of actions aimed at supporting sustainable travel for employers and staff. A Mobility Management Plan also addresses sitespecific issues or barriers affecting travel choice for employees and modal split targets for the workplace. Measures that should be included are integration with public transport, promotion of car sharing/ pooling, parking pricing and control and the encouragement of cycling and walking by the provision of cycling and walking routes and secure cycle parking. The NTA document Achieving Effective Workplace Travel Plans – Guidance for Local Authorities also provides guidance on proposals to encourage employees to walk, cycle or carpool to the workplace. Objective TR O23 Mobility Management It is an objective of the Council to require the submission of Mobility Management Plans, subject to the guidance provided in the Toolkit for School Travel, Safe Routes to School Programme, Workplace Travel Plans – A Guide for Implementers and Achieving Effective Workplace Travel Plans – Guidance for Local Authorities, for any development that the Council consider will have significant trip generation and attraction rates, at peak hours or throughout the day and where existing or proposed public transport may be utilised. Objective TR O24 Area Wide Mobility Management Planning/Networks It is an objective of the Council to support and promote Area Wide Mobility Planning/Networks, to develop a collective approach to sustainable travel and support a culture of sustainable travel practices among workplaces at Strategic Employment Locations. 7.5.14 Greenways Greenways is a term for the collective networks of parks and open spaces, which facilitate green modes of movement, (walkers, cyclists, roller skaters and horse riders) for pleasure, recreation, tourism and daily journeys. Greenways often coincide with wildlife corridors, which highlights the need for careful planning and design to ensure that they will be assessed for potential impacts on biodiversity. Limerick City and County Council are currently progressing a Blue Green Infrastructure Strategy for Limerick City and Suburbs (in Limerick) Mungret and Annacotty, which will seek to capitalise on opportunities for linkage and enhanced connectivity using blue and green infrastructure. Additional information on Blue/Greenways can be found in Section 6.3.7 in Chapter 6: Environment, Heritage, Landscape and Green Infrastructure.
- LIMERICK DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028222 7.6 Rural Transport The recently published Department of Rural and Community Development’s Our Rural Future: Government’s Blueprint to Transform Rural Ireland acknowledges the huge potential for cycling within and between rural towns and villages, particularly in the hinterland of rural towns. The Government has committed a €50 million fund in 2021 for Local Authority investment in high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure, specifically targeted at towns and villages across the country. The policy document further highlights the need for an improved rural public transport service, including proposals for piloting new transport initiatives for people of all ages and abilities living in rural areas. Limerick City and County Council will support the Government’s commitment to rural transport including piloting sustainable transport schemes in towns and villages. Policy TR P9 Sustainable Transport in Rural Areas It is a policy of the Council to support the objectives contained in Our Rural Future: Government’s Blueprint to Transport Rural Ireland, including investment in public transport and high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure specifically targeted at towns and villages. There are a number of Local Link bus routes in operation throughout Limerick, which provide vital public transport links for rural areas to key settlements within Limerick. The promotion of permeability within and connectivity between the existing urban towns and smaller urban settlements and rural areas remains a key transport goal of the Council. In addition to bus routes operated under the Rural Transport Initiative, private bus operators service both urban centres and rural communities. It is important that these services are retained and improved. Public transport services in rural areas provide a vital means of access for rural inhabitants, to key employment and social services and a means of further sustaining rural settlements. Policy TR P10 Rural Transport It is a policy of the Council to continue to support the ‘Local Link’ rural transport service and to encourage operators to improve the service to meet the social and economic needs of the rural communities in Limerick. Objective TR O25 Inter-city, Regional and Commuter Services It is an objective of the Council to support and facilitate the on-going review and enhancements to the inter-city, regional and commuter services in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. Objective TR O26 Bus Transport Infrastructure It is an objective of the Council to support the development of bus shelters and bus stops to incorporate universal access and bicycle parking facilities, where possible.
- Chapter 7: Sustainable Mobility and Transport223 7.7 Strategic Connections 7.7.1 Airport The Council recognises the importance of air travel for international connectivity and in improving the attractiveness of Limerick for business opportunities and development of the tourism industry. Limerick is strategically positioned within close proximity to Shannon International Airport. The Council supports the continued operation and growth of Shannon Airport as an important element of the transport and communications infrastructure of the region. The Council also supports measures to enhance public transport connections from Limerick City to the Airport. Objective TR O27 Shannon Airport It is an objective of the Council to support the continued operation and growth of Shannon International Airport and measures to enhance public transport connections to the Airport from the City Centre. 7.7.2 Strategic Ports and Harbours Limerick has significant port facilities in the natural harbour of the Shannon Estuary. These comprise of the Shannon- Foynes deep-water cargo port, Limerick Docks in Limerick City and a jetty facility at Aughinish, between Foynes and Askeaton. Shannon Foynes Port is identified as a Tier 1 Port of National Significance in the current National Ports Policy (DTTAS, 2013) and is an EU Core Network Port (TEN-T), located on the North-Sea Mediterranean TEN-T Core Network Corridor. The Port has a key role both regionally and nationally in meeting the external trading requirements of the Irish economy. The Council supports the development of improved connectivity and enhanced transport networks to Shannon Foynes Port. The Council supports the operation of the existing Limerick Docks and the sustainable redevelopment of the adjacent lands. The Limerick Docks are within close proximity of the City Centre and the Council will support and facilitate improved connectivity with the City Centre, including public transport and pedestrian linkage. Objective TR O28 Docks and Ports It is an objective of the Council to support the continued development of Shannon Foynes Port as an EU Core Network Port (TEN-T) and Limerick Docks as marine related assets, in accordance with the 2013 National Ports Policy.
- LIMERICK DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028224 7.8 Strategic Roads Infrastructure The road network is a vital part of Limerick’s transport infrastructure due to the wide spread use and reliance on road transport for economic movements as well as for social journeys. Key projects which are critical to enabling sustainable mobility and economic growth in Limerick, as identified in RSES, are outlined earlier in the chapter. The importance of providing a safe, efficient road system in the County to support enhanced connectivity within Limerick and between the regions is critical to Limerick’s economic growth. The Plan provides the following objectives in support of this growth: Objective TR O29 N/M20 Cork to Limerick Project It is an objective of the Council to support the delivery of the N/M20 Cork to Limerick Project, which will connect Cork and Limerick, subject to all environmental and planning assessments. Objective TR O30 Foynes to Limerick (including Adare Bypass) Road It is an objective of the Council to support the delivery of the Foynes to Limerick (including Adare Bypass) Road, subject to all environmental and planning assessments. Objective TR O31 N21 Newcastle West and N21 Abbeyfeale Road Schemes It is an objective of the Council to support the delivery of N21 Newcastle West and N21 Abbeyfeale Road Schemes, subject to all environmental and planning assessments. Objective TR O32 N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction It is an objective of the Council to support the delivery of N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction Road Scheme, subject to all environmental and planning assessments. Objective TR O33 Motorway Network Arterial Roads It is an objective of the Council to upgrade arterial roads from the motorway network to increase capacity, where deemed necessary. Objective TR O34 O’Connell Street Improvement Works It is an objective of the Council to support the delivery of the O’Connell Street Improvement Works in the provision of a more efficient traffic management system, as well as facilitating future transport mode needs in accordance with requirements of LSMATS. Objective TR O35 Connecting Limerick’s Southside It is an objective of the Council to explore improved accessibility to Limerick Southside, including the possible provision of a motorway interchange connection from the M20/M7 to Limerick Southside, subject to: •• The requirement for a Motorway Order; •• Demonstration of consistency with the criteria in Section 2.7 of the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012), including that additional traffic loading can be satisfactorily accommodated at the junction and on the national road network; •• The special requirements of the tolling scheme (N18 and Limerick Tunnel Scheme) and the financial implications for the Exchequer of new road schemes in that context shall be evaluated; •• An assessment of environmental impacts. The development of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road (LNDR) is a key strategic road infrastructure project as outlined in RSES. The LNDR will improve access to the University of Limerick and the IDA National Technology Park and will reduce City Centre traffic. It will provide a direct link between Shannon International Airport, the businesses and industries in the Shannon area and the university campus.
- Chapter 7: Sustainable Mobility and Transport225 In terms of land use planning policy, although the LNDR will be a Regional route, it will be treated in a similar way to national roads and the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines will be applied to potential changes to land use policy on this corridor. Aside from what is proposed in RSES and the associated Local Authority Core Strategies, any significant developments along the LNDR will not be supported and its strategic function will be protected. Objective TR O36 Limerick Northern Distributor Road It is an objective of the Council to: a) Support the development of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road, which will connect the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Road Scheme to the existing R445 (old N7) and adjoining road network to the east of Limerick City, which will incorporate Smarter Travel measures, in accordance with all environmental and planning assessments. b) Ensure the LNDR will be subject to the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines and its implementation will not support any significant development along the route, subject to any strategic and/or national considerations. Map 7.1 Preferred Route for the Limerick Northern Distributor Road INDICATIVE AREA FOR LINK ROAD INDICATIVE JUNCTION RESERVATION
- LIMERICK DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028226 7.9 Protection of Road Hierarchy The road network also plays a vital part of Limerick’s transport infrastructure to support economic development as well as for social journeys. Proper management of use, maintenance of roads and improvements to the network is vital. A hierarchy of roads exist in Limerick, including sections of motorway, national roads, regional roads, local roads and urban roadways. There has been significant investment in road infrastructure and therefore it is important to protect and maintain the carrying capacity of the road network within Limerick. Policy TR P11 Road Safety and Carrying Capacity of the non-national Road Network It is a policy of the Council to safeguard the carrying capacity and safety of the non-national road network throughout Limerick. In implementing the above policy, the Council will have regard to the following objectives: Objective TR O37 Land Uses and Access Standards It is an objective of the Council to: a) Ensure that any development involving new access to a non-national public road, or the intensification of use of an existing access onto a nonnational public road meets the appropriate design and safety standards. The Council will ensure traffic safety is a priority in the case of all accesses onto public roads. Objective TR O38 Improvements to Regional and Local Roads It is an objective of the Council to provide for and carry out sustainable improvements to sections of regional roads and local roads, that are deficient in respect of alignment, structural condition, or capacity, where resources permit and to maintain that standard thereafter. 7.9.1 National Road Network Limerick occupies a strategic location on the national road network, with a large number of National Routes traversing through it. The primary purpose of the national road network is to provide strategic transport links between main centres of population and employment. The M7, the M8 and Foynes Port (Foynes to Limerick (including Adare Bypass) Road) have been identified as part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Additionally, the N18 Limerick to Galway, the N21 Limerick to Tralee and the N20 Limerick to Cork National Primary routes are identified as part of the EU TEN-T Comprehensive Network. The N24 Limerick to Waterford and the N69 Limerick to Tralee National Primary roads also provides important regional and inter-regional connectivity within and through Limerick. There are a number of forthcoming road schemes which will improve accessibility and connectivity between urban centres in the region and beyond.
- Chapter 7: Sustainable Mobility and Transport227 Policy TR P12 Safeguard the Capacity of National Roads It is a policy of the Council to: a) Protect the capacity of the national road network, having regard to all relevant Government guidance and associated junctions, including DoECLG Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines (DoECLG, 2012) in the carrying out of Local Authority functions and; b) Ensure development does not prejudice the future development, or impair the capacity of, the planned national roads, which includes the N/ M20 Cork to Limerick Scheme and Foynes to Limerick Road (including Adare Bypass) projects and other schemes referenced in Section 7.4; c) Continue to engage, at an early stage, with relevant transport bodies, authorities and agencies in respect of any plans or projects that are located in proximity to national road infrastructure. Objective TR O39 National Roads It is an objective of Council to: a) Prevent, except in exceptional circumstances and subject to a plan-led evidence-based approach, in consultation with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, in accordance with the Section 28 Ministerial Guidelines Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DoECLG, 2012), development on lands adjacent to the existing national road network, which would adversely affect the safety, current and future capacity and function of national roads and having regard to reservation corridors, to cater for possible future upgrades of the national roads and junctions; b) Avoid the creation of any new direct access points from development, or the generation of increased traffic from existing direct access/egress points to the national road network, to which speed limits greater than 60km/h apply; c) Facilitate a limited level of new accesses, or the intensified use of existing accesses, to the national road network on the approaches to, or exit from, urban centres that are subject to a speed limit of between 50km/h and 60km/h. Such accesses will be considered where they facilitate orderly urban development and would not result in a proliferation of such entrances; The primary purpose of the national road network is to provide strategic transport links between main centres of population and employment. The M7 Motorway has been identified as part of the Trans- European Transport Network (TEN-T). The Council will support the improvement and protection of the EU TEN-T (Trans- European Network for Transport) network to strengthen access routes and connectivity. The Council will facilitate the protection of all National routes from frontage access and to minimise the number of junctions in accordance with TII’s Policy and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government’s Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012). Similarly, the Council will seek to safeguard the drainage network associated with the national road network. Objective TR O40 National Road Network Drainage Regimes It is an objective of the Council to ensure all developments protect and safeguard the capacity and efficiency of the drainage regimes of the national road network.
- LIMERICK DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028228 7.9.2 Regional Road Network The regional road network provides important links between the towns and villages across Limerick. They supplement the national road network. The regional road network in Limerick is subdivided into strategic regional roads and regional roads. In the case of strategic regional roads and regional roads, especially those which have a high carrying capacity, the Council shall adopt a restrictive policy in relation to new development in the interests of traffic safety. Policy TR P13 Strategic Regional Road Network It is a policy of the Council to protect the investment in the strategic regional road network and maintain and improve road safety and capacity. Objective TR O41 Strategic Regional Roads It is an objective of the Council to: a) Improve, manage and maintain the strategic regional road network in Limerick, in a manner which safeguards the strategic function of the road network; b) Prohibit development generating additional traffic and requiring direct access onto a strategic regional road in areas where speed limits in excess of 50km/h apply; c) Consider permitting access onto a strategic regional road where members of the farming community wish to build houses for their own occupation, on their own land where the house is required for occupation by a member of the farming community in connection with the working of the farm and where no reasonable alternative access is available to them and where that access is safe and the traffic levels generated are reasonably low. Such developments shall be subject to a Road Safety Audit and all relevant planning criteria; d) The above applies to the following strategic regional roads: •• R521 Foynes/Newcastle West; •• R522 – Newcastle West/ Dromcolliher/County Boundary; •• R518-Askeaton/Rathkeale/ Ballingarry/Bruree/Kilmallock; •• R520-Newcastle West/Junction with R518 (towards Kilmallock); •• R511-Limerick/Fedamore/Junction with R516; •• R512/R517-Limerick/Bruff/Kilmallock/ Kilfinnane/County Boundary; •• R513-Junction with N24/ Caherconlish/ Herbertstown/ Hospital/ Knocklong/ Ballylanders/ County Boundary; •• R503 – Junction with N7 to County Boundary (towards Newport); •• R525- Castleconnell to O’Briens Bridge; •• R505-Junction N24/Cappamore/ Doon; •• R510-Junction with Raheen roundabout (R526)/ Quins’ cross roundabout/ Mungret roundabout (N69); •• R526-City boundary to Colopys Cross-Patrickswell; •• R445 from the Mackey Roundabout to Annacotty Roundabout. 7.9.3 Local Roads Local roads form the bulk of the road network in Limerick and serve an important economic role, because of the dispersed nature of the population in the County. Urban roads and streets are located in towns and villages and provide essential access from residential areas to retail streets, commercial lands and amenity areas. Limerick City and County Council is responsible for the maintenance and improvement works on these roads, financed from their own resources and supplemented by state grants. Objective TR O42 Roads and Streets It is an objective of the Council to secure improvements to the road network in Limerick, including improved pedestrian and cycle facilities, in conjunction and co-operation with relevant stakeholders, subject to resources becoming available.
Source Limerick City and County Council: Limerick Development Plan 2022–2028 (as varied) (2022–2028) · 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.