Inspectors Report 2 (HA0/Rha0022a
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An Bord Pleanála Inspector’s Report Marlborough Street Public Transport Priority Bridge. Volume 2 Part 1 Appendix 1 Copy of slides used in presenting brief of evidence to the oral hearing (attached under separate cover) Part 2 Appendix 2 Mr O’Connor’s Report Appendix 3 Environmental Impact Statement, Marlborough St Bridge, January 2009 Appendix 4 Relevant Provisions of the National Development Plan 2007- 2013 Appendix 5 Relevant Provisions of Transport 21 Appendix 6 Relevant Provisions of the Strategic Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area Appendix 7 Relevant Provisions of A Platform for Change Appendix 8 Relevant Provisions of the Dublin City Development Plan 2005-2011 PL29NHA0022 Appendices An Bord Pleanála Page 1 of 35 Appendix 3 Mr O’Connor’s Report File no. PL29.nha 0022 Marlborough Street Public Transport Priority Bridge Proposed under Section 51 of the Roads Act (as amended) Bridge length 65 metres and width 26 metres. Bridge to provide for 2 no southbound bus lanes and one southbound LUAS line. Chosen construction type is single span reinforced concrete with low depth to length ratio. I was requested to prepare a report on the traffic and drainage issues arising from the proposed Development At the Oral Hearing the issues of traffic and drainage were raised with the Applicants and OPW, Dublin Bus and RPA representatives were also present to clarify the positions of their organisations . DRAINAGE / FLOODING The proposed bridge is a single span concrete structure with abutments which encroach into the river Liffey. It was explained that the presence of a large sewer siphon arrangement dictated the location of abutments. Mr Tim Joyce on behalf of the Office of Public Works indicated that the OPW was satisfied with the approach being taken. It was clarified that given the concerns for potential flooding great care would be taken with the Section 50 (Arterial Drainage Act 1945) application being made by Dublin City Council in respect of the bridge. The proposal to provide Dutch dams or a folding mechanism to be brought into operation in times of exceptionally high flows or tides is noted as is the City Council’s experience of operating these mechanisms. It is considered that the proposal has been subject to the correct design approach including consultation with OPW . It would not appear necessary to recommend a condition in relation to hydrological implications of the proposed development as the PL29NHA0022 Appendices An Bord Pleanála Page 2 of 35 current Section 50 Application would be deemed to cover requirements for flood protection. TRAFFIC The evidence at the hearing clarified the EIS and explained the operation and management of the bridge as a public transport link. EXISTING TRAFFIC NETWORK The road network for the immediate area comprises: Eden Quay on the north side of the river which has general traffic and a bus lane running west-east from O Connell Street. A contraflow bus lane runs east- west from Butt bridge to O Connell street and there are a number of bus terminii on the lane adjacent to the quay wall. Marlborough street joins Eden Quay at the proposed bridge location and takes general traffic and generally caters for local type journeys Burgh Quay on the south side of the river is east-west and includes a bus lane. The traffic flows can reach levels where saturation occurs between Butt bridge and O Connell street Hawkins Street joins Burgh Quay at the location of the proposed bridge and takes bus traffic and local traffic. The applicant did not include traffic flow volumes in the EIS and did not provide information on existing flows at the hearing. This would have helped clarify the assessment but as new infrastructure is under construction it allows an assessment based on the comparative conditions to be made on the proposal. IMPACTS AND ASSESSMENT From questions asked of Mr O Brien of the City Council the traffic control measures were outlined and the impacts would clearly be positive for a number of existing bus routes. Mr O Leary of Dublin Bus noted the potential for new network opportunities. PL29NHA0022 Appendices An Bord Pleanála Page 3 of 35 The potential negative impacts would be on general traffic on the north and aouth quays. Mr O Brien indicated that the proximity of both Butt Bridge at 140 m west and O Connell St Bridge at 100 m east, made linking of traffic signals somewhat problematical. However, the overall relief arising from the opening of the Samuel Beckett Bridge and the options available to the City Council in relation to limitations in traffic types would appear to indicate that any negative impacts are capable of significant mitigation. It is considered therefore that the proposal would be acceptable from a traffic viewpoint and no particular conditions would appear necessary. However it may be considered desirable that a liaison committee would be useful prior to and during construction and this could comprise the City Council and representation from RPA, Dublin Bus and OPW, taxi and city centre business interests. ______________ Daniel O Connor Engineer Gd I 8 July 2009. PL29NHA0022 Appendices An Bord Pleanála Page 4 of 35 Appendix 3 Environmental Impact Statement, Marlborough St Bridge, January 2009 Volume 1 is the main report and includes a non-technical summary which is also presented as a separate Volume. Volume 2 is a book of maps. Volume 1 comprises 15 chapters in two parts, each part preceded by a non technical summary: chapters are set out under the following headings: Non Technical Summary Part 1 Background Information and General Description Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Background to the Proposed Development Chapter 3 Description of the Proposed Development Chapter 4 Alternatives Considered Chapter 5 Traffic and Transportation Part 2 Environmental Effects and Proposed Ameliorative Measures Chapter 6 Human Beings Chapter 7 The Natural Environment Chapter 8 Landscape and Visual Analysis Chapter 9 Material Assets Chapter 10 Architectural, Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Chapter 11 Architectural Heritage Chapter 12 Construction Phase Chapter 13 Interrelationships Chapter 14 Mitigation Measures Non-technical summary Description of the Quays at Marlborough Street/Hawkins Street Eden Quay carries two eastbound traffic lanes and a westbound bus lane in the vicinity of the proposed bridge location. An eastbound cycle lane is also provided PL29NHA0022 Appendices An Bord Pleanála Page 5 of 35 north of the eastbound traffic lanes. Pedestrian crossing facilities are provided crossing Eden Quay to the west of the Eden Quay / Marlborough Street Junction. Burgh Quay carries two westbound traffic lanes and a westbound bus lane in the vicinity of the proposed bridge location. These two traffic lanes branch out to become three lanes just west of the proposed bridge site. On Burgh Quay, a westbound cycle lane is also provided, south of the westbound bus lane. Pedestrian crossing facilities are provided for crossing Hawkins Street at the Burgh Quay / Hawkins Street Junction. Significant Environmental Effects and Proposed Ameliorative Measures Under the headings: human beings, the natural environment, landscape and visual analysis, material assets, architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage, architectural heritage and construction phase, the issues which are dealt with later in the report are summarised. The paragraph, mitigation, lists the mitigation measures proposed. Mitigation Measures The principle mitigation measures proposed in the scheme are as follows: A traffic management will be prepared by the contractor and agreed with the planning authority. Hours of construction will be agreed with the planning authority to avoid later night or early morning working. Noise mitigation measures will be put in place during relevant activities. Wheel washing facilities will be put in place on site to ensure that the public road is not adversely affected by deposits from truck tyres. It is recommended that lighting ensures that the bridge is visible to birds at night. However, lights should be imbedded in the bridge structure rather than on poles which could present a potential hazard to flying birds in daylight and at night. A dust minimisation plan will be formulated for the construction phase of the project, as construction activities are likely to generate some dust emissions. A pedestrian/cyclist facility will be maintained on both quays at all times during the construction phase. In areas where disturbance of the river bed or quay is necessary as part of the construction of the proposed development, an archaeological impact assessment based on an underwater dive survey, a low tide visual survey and a metal detection survey should be carried out by a suitably qualified underwater archaeologist licensed by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. An underwater archaeological assessment and metal detection survey are currently being undertaken. The results of the underwater archaeological assessment will be reviewed and any recommended mitigation measures will be carried out. In areas where removal of sections of quay wall is necessary an architectural survey should be undertaken prior to the removal of any material. The survey should be overseen by a suitably qualified archaeologist or architect. PL29NHA0022 Appendices An Bord Pleanála Page 6 of 35 Part 1 Background Information and General Description Chapter 1 Introduction This includes the legal requirements that are met in the presentation of the EIS to the Board, and refers to the statutory and non-statutory consultation which has taken place. I consider this section to be satisfactory. There are not any outstanding issues. Chapter 2 Background to the Proposed Development This deals with the purpose of the project, description of the quays and lists the parties consulted. A list of consultees is contained at page 2/3 and a summary of responses received is included on pages 2/5 to 2/9. The lists include: Office of Public Works (Tim Joyce) and Minister for Environment.