Offaly County Development Plan 2021–2027 (as varied) — Chapter 8: Sustainable Transport Strategy

1. Page 11

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 275 Offaly has a higher car ownership rate at one car per 2.6 persons compared to the national average of 1 car per 3.4 persons1. As of 20202, County Offaly has approximately 2,220 kilometres of roads, which are categorised as follows: Table 8.1 Categorisation of Roads in County Offaly Road Type Distance (km) % Share of Offaly’s Roads Motorway 15 0.7% National Roads 116 5.2% Regional Roads 392 17.7% Local Roads 1697 76.4% Total 2220 100% 1 2016 Census of population figures 2 MapRoad PMS Schedule June 2020

2. Page 12

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 276 Figure 8.7 Motorway, National and Regional Routes in County Offaly Urban Roads and Streets There is an appreciation that urban roads and streets are much more than traffic corridors. They should be places where people want to live and spend time. The key is to improve street design for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users, and to reduce the impact of vehicles on residential streets. A well designed network of streets, which are place-based in their scope and design, has the ability to promote active transportation. As a result, they encourage improved public health while shifting transportation towards sustainability, mitigating the impacts of climate change in the process. The Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets as published jointly by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in March 2013, and updated in 2019, outlines practical design measures to encourage more sustainable travel patterns in urban areas and best practice in the design of street networks and individual streets. The Manual sets out design guidance and standards for constructing new and reconfiguring existing urban roads and streets, incorporating good planning and design practice. The complementary publication The Treatment of Transition Zones to Towns and Villages on National Roads by Transport Infrastructure Ireland should be consulted also in this regard.

3. Page 13

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 277 Motorways and National Routes The M6 (Dublin to Galway) and the M7 (Dublin to Limerick) motorways assist substantially in improving the county’s accessibility and attracting inward investment. Offaly County Council will continue to assist and facilitate the achievement of road objectives, together with associated ancillary and infrastructural services that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) may be undertaking in the future in the county. Figure 8.8 M7 Motorway in County Offaly Table 8.2 Motorways and National Roads in Offaly Road Type Description Motorway M6 – Dublin to Galway. An 8.2 km section traverses North Offaly. M7 – Dublin to Limerick. A 6.5 km portion traverses through South Offaly. National Secondary N52 – Links Dundalk and Nenagh through Mullingar (including Mullingar By-Pass), Tullamore (including Tullamore Bypass) and Birr. N80 – Links the N52 South of Tullamore to the N11 at Enniscorthy via Portlaoise. N62 – Links Athlone with the N8 south of Thurles, passing through Birr.

4. Page 14

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 278 Offaly is where some key national secondary routes interconnect: the (N52) Dundalk - Nenagh and the (N80) Enniscorthy-Moate routes. These routes and their improvement make the county more accessible to ports such as Drogheda, Bellview and Rosslare. They are also fundamental in providing connections with other urban centres in the midlands. In addition, the N52 and N62 link Birr to Athlone. To ensure that past and future public investment in road improvements is not diminished in whole or in part and to ensure the safety and free flow of traffic, future development requiring direct access onto National Secondary routes will be restricted and assessed against the provisions of the Spatial Planning and National Roads - Guidance for Planning Authorities issued by the DoECLG in January 2012. The Council will actively pursue the upgrading and improvement of the N52, N62 and the N80 including the provision of appropriate bypasses, where considered necessary. The strategic transport function of national roads and associated junctions needs to be maintained and supported. The Council supports the provision of the Tullamore-Kilbeggan link road as identified in the National Development Plan 2018-2027, with Offaly as the lead authority working with the TII and The National Design Office to deliver the project. Offaly County Council considers that there are currently no exceptional circumstances as set out in section 2.6 of the Guidelines on Spatial Planning and National Roads that would require the identification of stretches of national roads where a less restrictive approach to that identified in Table 8.3 below may be applied. Figure 8.9 Saints and Scholars Public Art on Tullamore By-Pass

5. Page 15

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 279 Table 8.3 Policy as per National Roads and Spatial Planning, Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2012 Location Policy (as per National Roads and Spatial Planning, Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2012) Lands adjoining National Roads to which speed limits greater than 60 km/h apply: To avoid the creation of additional access points from new development or the generation of increased traffic from existing access to national roads for all development types. Transitional Zone i.e. sections of national roads on the approaches to or exit from urban centres that are subject to a speed limit of 60 km/h before a lower 50 km/h limit: To provide for a limited level of direct access to facilitate orderly urban development. Proposals must be subject to a road safety audit carried out in accordance with Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s requirements and a proliferation of entrances, which would lead to a diminution in the role of such transitional zones, must be avoided. Lands adjoining National Roads within 50 km/h speed limits: Access will be considered by planning authorities in accordance with normal road safety, traffic management and urban design criteria for built up areas. Regional Routes In the case of Regional routes, especially those which carry higher volumes of traffic, the Council shall adopt a restrictive policy in relation to new development in the interests of preserving the traffic capacity of these routes and in order to avoid the creation of traffic hazards. These routes are of strategic importance to the county and region. Applications for rural housing requiring access onto restricted regional routes will be assessed against Policy SSP-27 (Policy for Housing in Areas under Strong Urban Influence and in Stronger Rural Areas and in Areas of Special Control) as set out in Chapter 2 (Core Strategy, Settlement Strategy and Housing Strategy). Four of the county’s regional routes have been identified as Key Amenity Routes which offer very attractive “cross section” views of differing landscapes of the county. The enjoyment of such varying landscapes for the visitor, the person who regularly traverses the county or the local person can be lessened by insensitive levels of roadside development and indeed excessive levels of development.

6. Page 16

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 280 Table 8.4 Restricted Regional Routes in County Offaly Restricted Regional Route Location Reason R356 Cloghan to Banagher Carrying Capacity R400 Rhode to county boundary toward Rochfortbridge, link to M6 Carrying Capacity R402 Ballina Cross to Edenderry Carrying Capacity R420 Tober to Tullamore Carrying Capacity R420 Tullamore to Portarlington Carrying Capacity R436 Ferbane to county boundary toward Kilbeggan Carrying Capacity R439 Birr to Banagher Carrying Capacity R445 Dunkerrin through Moneygall to county boundary Carrying Capacity R446 Horseleap to the county boundary towards Moate Carrying Capacity R440 Birr through Kinnitty to county boundary towards Mountrath Amenity R357 Cloghan to Shannonbridge Amenity R421 Tullamore to Kinnitty Carrying Capacity and Amenity R357 Cloghan to Blueball Carrying Capacity and Amenity

7. Page 17

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 281 Figure 8.10 Restricted Regional Routes Local Roads Local roads are divided into Local Primary Roads, Local Secondary Roads and Local Tertiary Roads. The undulating nature of many of the roads in Offaly can be attributed to subsurface peat, which is prevalent in Offaly. The peat substrate or bog ramparts present a particular issue in Offaly resulting in costly and frequent maintenance of the road network. Offaly County Council will enhance and improve this road network, in line with the annual roads programme and allocated budgets, as it is of major importance to the communities and economy of the county. Corridor and Route Selection Process The following Corridor and Route Selection Process will be undertaken for relevant new infrastructure, however this would not apply to national road schemes which are progressed in accordance with statutory processes and TII publications, including various TII Planning Guidelines for Assessment of Environmental Impacts that include headings such as “Constraints Study”, “Route Corridor Selection” and “Environmental Impact Assessment:

8. Page 18

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 282 Stage 1 – Route Corridor Identification, Evaluation and Selection • Environmental constraints (including those identified in Section 4 of the accompanying SEA Environmental Report) and opportunities (such as existing linear infrastructure) will assist in the identification of possible route corridor options; • Potentially feasible corridors within which infrastructure could be accommodated will be identified and these corridors assessed. The selection of the preferred route corridor will avoid constraints and meet opportunities to the optimum extent, as advised by the relevant specialists; and • In addition to the constraints identified above, site-specific field data may be required to identify the most appropriate corridors. Stage 2 – Route Identification, Evaluation and Selection • Potentially feasible routes within the preferred corridor will be identified and assessed. The selection of preferred routes will avoid constraints and meet opportunities to the optimum extent, as advised by the relevant specialists, taking into account project level information and potential mitigation measures that are readily achievable; • In addition to the constraints identified above, site specific field data may be required to identify the most appropriate routes; and • In addition to environmental considerations, the identification of route corridors and the refinement of route lines is likely to be informed by other considerations. Air Transport Connectivity and access through international and regional airports are vital for our tourism industry in particular. Offaly County Council recognises the significant role that regional airports have in promoting balanced development and supports the location of an airport in the county or within the midlands.

9. Page 19

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 283 Sustainable Transport Strategy Policies Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility SMAP-01 It is Council policy to support sustainable mobility, enhanced regional accessibility and connectivity within County Offaly in accordance with the National Policy Outcomes of the National Planning Framework 2040 and the National Development Plan. SMAP-02 It is Council policy to support the growth in the use of electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles and fuel cell vehicles; prioritise car parking spaces for these vehicles; and facilitate the provision of battery charging infrastructure and refuelling infrastructure for these vehicles where considered appropriate. SMAP-03 It is Council policy to promote the transition to a low carbon integrated transport system by firstly reducing the need for travel 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. SMAP-04 It is Council Policy to continue to work with the relevant transport providers, agencies and stakeholders to facilitate the integration of active travel (walking, cycling) with public transport. Land Use and Transportation Integration SMAP-05 It is Council policy to promote the integration of landuse and transport planning to: (i) Ensure a sustainable, safe, coherent, efficient, and effective approach to transport provision for development in County Offaly; (ii) Support permeability, accessibility and connectivity in settlements (both in terms of new development and retrofitting into existing built-up areas); (iii) Strive to continue decreasing the distance between housing and employment; (iv) Reduce energy demand in response to the likelihood of increases in energy and other costs due to long-term decline in non-renewable resources; (v) Reduce anthropogenic greenhouse house emissions; and (vi) Address the necessity of adaptation to climate change In particular, having regard to location, layout and design of new developments. SMAP-06 It is Council policy that larger-scale, trip intensive developments, such as high employee dense offices and retail, should in the first instance be focused into central urban locations and developed in a sequential manner and may be subject to Mobility Management / Travel Planning.

10. Page 20

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    Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 284 SMAP-07 It is Council policy that all proposed major employment developments and schools shall be subject to Travel Plans in a manner consistent with National Transport Authority Guidance. Trip Generation/Modal Shift SMAP-08 It is Council policy to promote more compact development forms that reduce overall demand for private transport and private transport infrastructure and support proposals that encourage modal shift towards sustainable travel modes. SMAP-09 It is Council policy 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 in the midland region, including all providers of bus and rail services. SMAP-10 It is Council policy to allow for the reduction in car parking standards in suitable town centre locations in order to encourage a modal shift away from the private car to more sustainable forms of transport, such as public transport, cycling and walking. Walking/Cycling SMAP-11 It is Council policy to prioritise the need for people to be physically active in their daily lives; to improve permeability and to promote walking and cycling in the design of streets and public spaces as an alternative and sustainable mode of transport; and to support safer walking and cycling routes to schools under the Green Schools Initiative subject to appropriate environmental assessments, including Habitats Directive Assessment. SMAP-12 It is Council policy to support the pedestrianisation and permeability of town and village centres where appropriate, in order to create accessible, attractive, vibrant and safe places. In doing this the Council will strive to support the; (i) Provision of ‘cycle friendly’ towns and villages; (ii) Provision of key cycling routes through larger towns; (iii) Potential for a walking and cycling route around Tullamore incorporating the Grand Canal, the banks of the Tullamore river and inside the barriers of the Tullamore bypass. SMAP-13 It is Council policy to facilitate and support, subject to appropriate environmental assessments (including the ‘Corridor and Route Selection Process’ set out in section 8.6.4 of this Plan), the continued development of walking and cycling routes including greenways, blueways and peatways in County Offaly for recreational and utility purposes. SMAP-14 It is Council policy to support the provision of secure cycle parking facilities in the public realm of towns and villages, at all public service destinations and in other developments. SMAP-15 It is Council policy to be supportive of exploring opportunities for the provision of cycle lanes along the N80, preferably off road cycle tracks separated from vehicular traffic where feasible, subject to adhering to road safety standards and complying with Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s Publications, safeguarding the strategic function of the N80 and the undertaking of a safety audit.

Source Offaly County Council: Offaly County Development Plan 2021–2027 (as varied) — Chapter 8: Sustainable Transport Strategy (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.