TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION 13.1 Introduction
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
MP2 PROJECT DUBLIN PORT COMPANY EIAR CHAPTER 13 MATERIAL ASSETS - TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION 13 MATERIAL ASSETS - TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION 13.1 Introduction This Chapter assesses the potential impact of the MP2 Project on Traffic and Transportation, referred to as the Traffic and Transportation Assessment (TTA). The site of the MP2 Project is defined by the application boundary as illustrated on the application drawings. The application boundary, overlain on the existing Port layout is presented in Figure 13-1. The site is located at the eastern end of the Dublin Port Estate and has an area of circa 97 ha. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Figure 13-1 Existing Site Location 13.1.1 Definition of Ro-Ro, Lo-Lo and Bulk Liquid MP2 Project relates to the Ro-Ro, Lo-Lo and Bulk Liquid facilities at the Port. For convenience these terms are explained as follows. Ro-Ro (Roll-on Roll-off) Ro-Ro refers to shipping services and activities where vehicles are driven on and off ferries or other specialised ships (such as car carriers). Ro-Ro freight traffic consists of freight vehicles, freight trailers, containers, coaches, passenger cars, trade vehicles and specialist trailers. Dublin Port handles some of the largest Ro-Ro vessels in the world, such as the Irish Ferries Ulysses and Stena Adventurer. Some services are freight only; others carry a combination of freight and passengers. Ro-Ro freight IBE1429/EIAR Rev F 13 -1 EPA Export 11-08-2020:04:27:20 MP2 PROJECT DUBLIN PORT COMPANY EIAR CHAPTER 13 MATERIAL ASSETS - TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION times and the driver accompanies the vehicle on the Ro-Ro ferry. The units drive off the vessel and leave the port immediately. to the vessel. These trailers are driven on and off ships by dock workers. Lo-Lo (Lift-On Lift-Off) Lo-Lo consists of containers carrying all types of goods. Cranes of different types are used to load and unload containers on and off the ship, and secondary handling equipment is used to transport the containers within the Lo-Lo operational area to back areas or within large stacks. Ro-Ro and Lo-Lo, combined, are jointly referred to as unitised freight. Bulk Liquid Bulk Liquid primarily comprises of petroleum imports at Dublin Port, and have minimal traffic movements assosisated with them. 13.2 Existing Environment The existing terminals, operators, berths, Port accesses and approach roads directly relevant to the transportation assessment for the MP2 Project are highlighted in Figure 13-2. Existing Terminals, Operators and Berths Irish Ferries Figure 13-2 indicates the existing location of Terminal 1 at the eastern side of the Port which currently hosts the Irish Ferries operator. Irish Ferries use an existing double ramp at Berths 49 and a single ramp at Berth 51A. For inspection purposes only. They handle Freight & Passenger Ro-RoConsent vessels of copyright and owner have required 6 vessel for any other arrivals use. and 6 vessel departures per day. They have accompanied and unaccompanied freight, tourist vehicles and foot passengers. Terminal 1 is accessed via Terminal Road located at the end of Tolka Quay Road. Stena The Stena operator is currently located in Terminal 2 and utilises Berth 51 via a double ramp. They handle Freight & Passenger Ro-Ro vessels and have 4 vessel arrivals and 4 vessel departures per day. Stena also have accompanied and unaccompanied freight, tourist vehicles and foot passengers. Terminal 2 is also accessed at the end of the existing Tolka Quay Road. P&O P&O currently occupy Terminal 3 at the western side of the Port and utilise a single ramp at Berth 21. They handle Freight & Passenger Ro-Ro vessels and have 3 vessel arrivals and 3 vessel departures per day. Stena handles accompanied and unaccompanied freight and tourist vehicles, but are weighted towards unaccompanied freight. They access directly from East Wall Road. IBE1429/EIAR Rev F 13 -2 EPA Export 11-08-2020:04:27:20 MP2 PROJECT DUBLIN PORT COMPANY EIAR CHAPTER 13 MATERIAL ASSETS - TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Figure 13-2 Existing Terminals, Operators, Berths, Port Accesses and Approach Roads Most Relevant to the MP2 Project IBE1429/EIAR 13-3 Rev F EPA Export 11-08-2020:04:27:20 MP2 PROJECT DUBLIN PORT COMPANY EIAR CHAPTER 13 MATERIAL ASSETS - TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION Seatruck Ferries passengers. Figure 13.2 indicates that they are currently located in Terminal 5 at the eastern side of the Port, and utilise 2 single ramps at Berths 52 and 53. There were 5 vessel arrivals and 5 vessel departures at Seatruck at the time of the traffic surveys. Terminal 5 is accessed via Alexandra Road Extension located at the end of Tolka Quay Road. Dublin Ferryport Terminals (DFT) DFT is a Lo-Lo operator located as indicated in Figure 13-2. DFT has two berths, River Berth 50A and Berth 50. Berth 50 can at times accommodate 2 vessels, referred to as being berthed in 50N (for north) and 50S (for south). This report will explain that on the day of the traffic surveys DFT had 1 vessel arrival and 2 vessel departures. Lo-Lo operations by nature generate a lower number of vessels on a less regular schedule compared to Ro-Ro operations. Traffic enters DFT along Breakwater Road South. It has an exit directly onto Tolka Quay Road, and also has some exiting traffic heading north on Breakwater Road South. Oil Berth 3 and Oil Berth 4 Oil Berth 3 and Oil Berth 4 are included in Figure13-2 and they handle Bulk Liquid at the Port. They generate much less vessel and traffic movements compared to unitised freight. On the day of the traffic survey 1 vessel departed Oil Berth 3. Oil Berth 3 and Oil Berth 4 are accessible via Jetty Road, off Breakwater Road South. than the official terminal reference numbers. This is for ease of reading. Total Vessel Movements The entities identified above comprise 40 of the 50 vessel movements carried out within the Port on the day of the traffic survey, indicating the extent of influence of the MP2 Project at the Port. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Existing Port Accesses Figure 13-2 shows the existing Port accesses with East Wall Road currently operational at the Port and reflected in the current existing traffic surveys: Promenade Road; Alexandra Road; Terminal 3, P&O; Access to Cruise Berth at North Wall Quay Extension. Approach Roads There are 5 main origin / destination routes associated with the Port, as highlighted in Figure13-2: The Dublin Port Tunnel; East Wall Road; Sherriff Street Upper; IBE1429/EIAR 13 -4 Rev F EPA Export 11-08-2020:04:27:20 MP2 PROJECT DUBLIN PORT COMPANY EIAR CHAPTER 13 MATERIAL ASSETS - TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION North Wall Quay; Tom Clarke Bridge (Previously named the Eastlink Bridge). 13.3 Dublin Port Masterplan and the Strategic Transportation Study Dublin Port Masterplan 2012 - 2040 The first Dublin Port Masterplan 2012-2040 provided a high level vision as to how Dublin Port could be developed to cater for an anticipated doubling in port volumes over the next 30 years to 60m gross tonnes by 2040, a rate of 2.5% pa, as well as working to enhance the integration of the Port with Dublin City. Dublin Port Masterplan 2040, reviewed 2018 The Dublin Port Masterplan 2040, reviewed 2018 was adopted in July 2018 and anticipates that throughput will double by 2032 and by 2040 will have grown to 77.2m gross tonnes, resulting in an Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of 3.3% pa. Strategic Transportation Study A Strategic Transportation Study was prepared to inform the Strategic Environmental Assessment process associated with the review to the Masterplan. It assessed the increase in growth, proposed modifications to the road network and the suite of sustainable transport measures which were included in the Dublin Port Masterplan, reviewed 2018. The key features where the AAGR increasing from 2.5% pa to 3.3% pa, and the benefits of the provision of the Southern Port Access Route anticipated for delivery towards the last third of the lifespan of the Masterplan. The suite of documents can be found here http://www.dublinport.ie/masterplan/masterplan-documents/ and For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. aspects from these documents have been considered in the preparation of the TTA for the MP2 Project where appropriate. IBE1429/EIAR 13 -5 Rev F EPA Export 11-08-2020:04:27:20 MP2 PROJECT DUBLIN PORT COMPANY EIAR CHAPTER 13 MATERIAL ASSETS - TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION Figure 13-3 Original Masterplan, Reviewed Masterplan and Strategic Transportation Study 13.4 Schemes Relevant to the TTA There are some schemes and transportation infrastructure improvements, both within the Port Estate and within its environs, which are of particular relevance to the TTA for the MP2 Project. 13.4.1 Consented Road Upgrade on the Dublin Port Estate For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. DPC has invested significantly in improving the road network within the Dublin Port Estate to facilitate the efficient movement of goods to and from the various terminals and facilities in the Port. These improvements have been delivered to ensure that the investment in the Dublin Port Tunnel and the expansion of the capacity of the M50 are adequately utilised by freight traffic to and from the Port. In addition to reducing congestion within the Dublin Port Estate and reducing the impact of HGV traffic on the City Centre, the strategic investment in both the Dublin Port Tunnel and the upgrading of the M50 have assisted in reducing the times involved in moving goods to and from the Port.