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

1. Page 21

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 285 Public Transport SMAP-16 It is Council policy to co-operate with and encourage Iarnród Éireann to (i) secure the upgrading of the existing rail linkages between Athlone, Clara, Tullamore and Portarlington (ii) improve the frequency of trains between Athlone and Dublin and (iii) ensure that train stations in County Offaly are manned and have frequent services. SMAP-17 It is Council policy to promote and facilitate, in co-operation with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Iarnród Éireann and adjoining local authorities, the provision of a second rail line between Portarlington and Athlone. In conjunction with this there is an opportunity for: • Tullamore Train Station and adjoining lands to be developed as a transport (bus/rail) node with possible integration of local bus services to serve the town and catchment area; and • Clara Train Station and adjoining lands to be developed as a transport (bus/rail) node with possible integration of local bus services to serve the town and catchment area. SMAP-18 It is Council policy to support the reopening of Geashill Train Station. SMAP-19 It is Council policy to support and develop public transport routes throughout the county through collaboration with the National Transport Authority and other relevant statutory bodies. SMAP-20 It is Council policy to support and facilitate the operation and improvement of existing bus services and connections, and to facilitate the provisions of improved facilities and services for bus users in towns and villages including the provision of set down areas for coaches and bus shelters at all bus stops where feasible. SMAP-21 It is Council policy to support the Local Link Rural Transport Programme 2018-2022 in County Offaly and subsequent programmes, including ‘Connecting Ireland: Rural Mobility Plan’, providing for social and economic connectivity between settlements and rural areas. Roads SMAP-22 It is Council policy to facilitate development of the road network in Offaly and the midland region in accordance with the National Development Plan and with Government policy. The Council will also support the relevant agencies and bodies involved in achieving such development including Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Transport Authority. SMAP-23 It is Council policy to strictly control development, outside of identified settlements, which could generate significant additional traffic, thereby potentially compromising the capacity and efficiency of the national roads/restricted regional roads and associated interchanges and possibly lead to the premature and unacceptable reduction in the level of service available to road users. This policy will also apply to national roads which may be downgraded during the lifetime of this Plan but which will still comprise high quality regionally important links.

2. Page 22

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 286 SMAP-24 It is Council policy to maintain and protect the safety, strategic transport function, capacity and efficiency of national roads, motorways and associated junctions and in accordance with Strategic Planning and National Roads Guidelines 2012 or any subsequent edition. SMAP-25 It is Council policy that development(s) requiring a new direct access or an intensification of an existing access onto a National Secondary road, or onto a privately owned road leading onto a National Secondary road where a speed limit greater than 60 km/h applies will be avoided in accordance with the provisions of Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities, January 2012. Exceptional circumstances may be considered where the development is of national and regional strategic importance, is plan-led and complies with the criteria set out in the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines in this regard. SMAP-26 It is Council policy that proposals for rural dwellings that are seeking direct access onto a restricted regional route as identified in Table 8.4 and Figure 8.10 of this plan, will only be permitted provided all of the criteria are complied with as set out under Policy SSP-27 (Policy for Housing in Areas under Strong Urban Influence and in Stronger Rural Areas and in Areas of Special Control) in Chapter 2 Core Strategy, Settlement Strategy and Housing Strategy. SMAP-27 It is Council policy to improve the road links between the national roads network and identified settlements within Offaly’s Settlement Hierarchy in order to cater for anticipated additional traffic flows and to facilitate the economic development of these settlements. SMAP-28 It is Council policy to ensure that developments which have the potential to generate significant traffic movement are subject to a Traffic and Transportation Assessment, Quality Audit and Road Safety Audit as appropriate. SMAP-29 It is Council policy to support the upgrading of the R422 from the M7 motorway in County Laois to Mountmellick in County Laois where it links with the N80 route that links to Tullamore a Key Town. SMAP-30 It is Council policy that development at national road interchanges or junctions shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure set out in section 2.7 of the Ministerial Guidelines Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines 2012 or subsequent edition. SMAP-31 It is Council policy that the capacity and efficiency of the road network drainage regimes in County Offaly will be safeguarded for road drainage purposes. Air Transport SMAP-32 It is Council policy to support the provision of a green international trade and distribution zone based on international air connectivity within the county or the midlands where it would contribute towards the proper planning and sustainable development of the county, comply with all environmental legislation, policies and objectives contained within this Plan and would be consistent with higher level planning documents, including the National Planning Framework and the Eastern and Midland Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy.

3. Page 23

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 287 General SMAP-33 It is Council policy to improve deficiencies in pavement surface, riding quality and general alignment to protect the heavy investment in existing facilities in line with the annual roads programme and allocated budgets. SMAP-34 It is Council policy to recognise the importance of hedgerows and roadside boundaries for wildlife and biodiversity when designing or inputting into road schemes. Retention of such features should be incorporated into design and where this is not possible, replacement planting with native species of indigenous provenance shall be provided. SMAP-35 It is Council policy that in considering applications for quarries, the Council shall seek to ensure access to the highest possible category of the road network hierarchy. SMAP- 36 It is Council policy that proposals for rights of way extinguishment should only be considered where these do not result in more circuitous trips for local residents accessing public transport, or local destinations.

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 288 Sustainable Transport Strategy Objectives Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility SMAO-01 It is an objective of the Council to facilitate the provision of transport infrastructure in County Offaly in line with national policy as outlined in the National Development Plan, Government policy and also in line with the Councils own programme of works. SMAO-02 It is an objective of the Council to prepare a Local Transport Plan in accordance with ‘Area Based Transport Assessment Guidance’ by TII and NTA, for the Key Town of Tullamore in conjunction with the National Transport Authority and in tandem with the Local Area Plan, and to prepare Transport Plans for other towns that are subject to Local Area Plans, namely Birr, Edenderry and Portarlington subject to the provision of funding and agreement with statutory agencies. SMAO-03 It is an objective of the Council to specify baseline figures and targets for modal share in new / varied Local Area Plans 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. SMAO-04 It is an objective of the Council to improve the baseline modal share figures for the county that are set out in this Development Plan, in particular a reduction in the percentage usage of the car which shall be informed by measures set out in Appendix 1 of this Development Plan including the improvement of rural accessibility through rural transport systems, improvements in inter-settlement and intra- settlement accessibility and improvements advocated by Local Transport Plans, all in conjunction with setting modal share targets within the county in cooperation with NTA, CARO, EMRA and other relevant stakeholders and in accordance with any relevant Guidelines that may come into effect. SMAO-05 It is an objective of the Council to identify suitable areas in towns and villages for agefriendly parking bays, in accordance with the Age Friendly Strategy for Offaly 2018-2021, and any future editions. Walking / Cycling SMAO-06 It is an objective of the Council to implement Connecting People Connecting Places: A Strategy for Walking and Cycling in Offaly September 2015. SMAO-07 It is an objective of the Council that cycle lanes are designed and maintained in accordance with the National Cycle Manual by the National Transport Authority 2011. SMAO-08 It is an objective of the Council to collaborate with Bord na Móna and Coillte in the development of the ‘Major Cycling Destination in the Midlands of Ireland – Feasibility Study 2016’ and to pursue the development of greenway links to adjoining counties. Public Transport SMAO-09 It is an objective of the Council to safeguard all existing rail infrastructure, to encourage the re-opening of rail stations, and to preserve disused stations / halts and tracks, appropriate to future strategic county public transport needs.

5. Page 25

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 289 SMAO-10 It is an objective of the Council to improve poor road alignment and junctions where incidents of collision are recorded and funding is available. In general, the decision regarding which road section will be prioritised for improvement will be guided by the following considerations: • The need to provide strategic links to National Road access; • The elimination of traffic hazards; • The development of industry, agriculture, forestry, housing and commercial development wherever such development would be of substantial social or economic benefit to the county; and • The need to provide for essential communications at an acceptable social and economic cost. Roads SMAO-11 It is an objective of the Council to facilitate the development of the national secondary road network in Offaly through the continued construction, upgrading and improvement of the national secondary roads in the county, the N62, the N52 and the N80 where on examination it is found to be feasible, including as outlined in the accompanying table: Scheme Description N52: To support the construction of a road between Tullamore and Kilbeggan (Link Road) in accordance with National Development Plan investment objectives taking into account environmental sensitivities as identified in the SEA Environmental Report and the policies and objectives of the County Development Plan relating to sustainable mobility. Where feasibility is established, the Council will seek to pursue and / or facilitate the relevant project, subject to other provisions in the Plan and in accordance with statutory processes and TII Publications subject to compliance with requirements of various TII Planning Guidelines for Assessment of Environmental Impacts that include headings such as “Constraints Study”, “Route Corridor Selection” and “Environmental Impact Assessment”. To examine the feasibility of the provision of a Western Bypass/Relief Road to the west of Tullamore town linking the R420 to the north west of the town with the N52 to the south west of the town taking into account environmental sensitivities as identified in the SEA Environmental Report and the policies and objectives of the Plan relating to sustainable mobility. Where feasibility is established, the Council will seek to pursue and / or facilitate the relevant project, subject to other provisions in the Plan, including section 8.6.4 Corridor and Route Selection Process. The line on the map in Volume 2 is indicative only. To co-operate with Transport Infrastructure Ireland in the examination of the feasibility of providing a bypass for the following towns and villages, taking into account environmental sensitivities as identified in the SEA Environmental Report and the policies and objectives of the County Development Plan relating to sustainable mobility. Where feasibility is established, the Council will seek to pursue and / or facilitate the relevant project, subject to other provisions in the Plan, including section 8.6.4 Corridor and Route Selection Process. Where lines are shown on the maps in Volume 2, they are indicative only.

6. Page 26

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 290 • N52: Kilcormac • N80: Killeigh N62: To investigate the feasibility of upgrading, widening and reconstructing the N62 from Kennedy’s Cross to the county boundary at Ballynahown taking into account environmental sensitivities as identified in the SEA Environmental Report and the policies and objectives of the County Development Plan relating to sustainable mobility. Where feasibility is established, the Council will seek to pursue and / or facilitate the relevant project, subject to other provisions in the Plan, including section 8.6.4 Corridor and Route Selection Process. N62: To investigate the feasibility of constructing a Birr Relief Road and construction of Birr By-pass and Distributor Road Network (Birr LUTS), taking into account environmental sensitivities as identified in the SEA Environmental Report and the policies and objectives of the County Development Plan relating to sustainable mobility. Where feasibility is established, the Council will seek to pursue and / or facilitate the relevant project, subject to other provisions in the Plan, including section 8.6.4 Corridor and Route Selection Process. The lines on the map in Volume 2 are indicative only. N62: To investigate the feasibility of carrying out Birr-Riverstown road improvements taking into account environmental sensitivities as identified in the SEA Environmental Report and the policies and objectives of the County Development Plan relating to sustainable mobility. Where feasibility is established, the Council will seek to pursue and / or facilitate the relevant project, subject to other provisions in the Plan, including section 8.6.4 Corridor and Route Selection Process. SMAO-12 It is an objective of the Council to construct, upgrade and improve, where necessary, the regional roads in the county as outlined in the accompanying table, taking into account environmental sensitivities as identified in the SEA Environmental Report and the policies and objectives of the County Development Plan relating to sustainable mobility. Where feasibility is established, the Council will seek to pursue and / or facilitate the relevant project, subject to other provisions in the Plan, including section 8.6.4 Corridor and Route Selection Process. Where lines are shown on the maps in Volume 2, they are indicative only. The Council will have regard to national and regional transport plans and the Council’s programme of works. The undertaking of any works will be subject to examination of its feasibility including the availability of finance and resources and will be subject to environmental assessments where necessary: Scheme Description R402: Examine the feasibility of the construction of Edenderry by-pass and relief roads. R420: Exaimine the feasibility of the construction of by-passes and relief roads for both Portarlington and Clara.

7. Page 27

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 291 To secure the provision and undertake upgrades of regional roads in the county where necessary, feasible and as funds allow. R420: To examine the feasibility of providing a bypass for Cloneygowan and to protect from development any reservation bands / corridors so as to avoid compromising the construction of the road. R420: To examine the feasibility of securing the provision of a bypass for Geashill, and, where feasibility is established, the Council will seek to pursue and / or facilitate the relevant project, subject to other provisions in the Plan, including section 8.6.4 Corridor and Route Selection Process. R420: To co-operate with Laois County Council to examine the feasibility of providing the following: 1. Relief road from the Tullamore Road to Botley Lane, Portarlington. 2. Long-term bypass to the south of Portarlington. SMAO-13 It is an objective of the Council to examine the feasibility of providing effective linkages between national and county roads taking into account environmental sensitivities as identified in the SEA Environmental Report and the policies and objectives of the County Development Plan relating to sustainable mobility. SMAO-14 It is an objective of the Council to facilitate the continued improvement and upgrading of all roads, should their status be re-graded, under the national roads programme and / or the Council’s road programme. The Council will seek and support the upgrading of the status of regional roads in the midlands which perform functions akin to National Secondary Routes for example the R420 Tullamore to Monastervin road and the routes that link Tullamore to the M6 at Enfield via Edenderry, namely the R420 and R402. SMAO-15 It is an objective of the Council to improve and maintain regional and county roads in line with the annual roads programme and allocated budgets. SMAO-16 It is an objective of the Council to examine the feasibility of providing future relief / distributor roads adjacent to / within the following towns and villages, taking into account environmental sensitivities as identified in the SEA Environmental Report and the policies and objectives of the County Development Plan relating to sustainable mobility. Where feasibility is established, the Council will seek to pursue and / or facilitate the relevant project, subject to other provisions in the Plan, including section 8.6.4 Corridor and Route Selection Process. Where lines are shown on the maps in Volume 2, they are indicative only. • Tullamore • Birr • Clara • Ferbane

8. Page 28

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 8 Sustainable Transport Strategy Page 292 • Portarlington • Cloghan • Killeigh • Geashill • Cloneygowan • Edenderry • Kilcormac SMAO-17 It is an objective of the Council to improve and upgrade bridges in the county as identified in the annual roads programme and budget allocation. SMAO-18 It is an objective of the Council to protect the study area, route corridor options and thereafter the preferred route corridor selected for the national road schemes being progressed in the Development Plan in accordance with National Development Plan Objectives and to prohibit development that could prejudice their future delivery.

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.