Bonneagar Iompair Eireann Transport Infrastructure Ireland CORK METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSPORT STRATEGY 2040 LRT Cork City Council Black Ash Park & Ride Comhairle Cathairle Chaorcaí ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS National Transport Authority: Transport Infrastructure Ireland: Systra: Hugh Creegan Paul Moran Ian Byrne Owen Shinkwin Tara Spain Jack Sheehan Roy O’Connor Eoin Gillard Paul Hussey Sinead Canny Cork City Council: Jacobs: Allanah Murphy Gerry O’Beirne John Paul FitzGerald Benjamin Loreille Ann Bogan Kevin Burke Joshua Noon Edith Roberts Sarah Cooper Elizabeth Kidney David Siddle Dolphin 3D Photomontages: Jennifer Egan Philip Watkin Cork County Council: Ciara Murphy Peter O’Donoghue Richard Eastman Chetwynd Viaduct Photograph Michael W. Lynch © David Moloney, used with kind permission. Padraig Moore Date of publication: February 2020 CORK METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSPORT STRATEGY 2040 This Strategy will deliver an accessible, integrated transport network that enables the sustainable growth of the Cork Metropolitan Area as a dynamic, connected, and internationally competitive European city region as envisaged by the National Planning Framework 2040. CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY 00 CONTENTS 01 Introduction 3 02 Policy Context 9 03 Existing Transport Context 17 04 CMATS 2040 Land Use 23 05 Strategy Development and Outcomes 29 06 Walking 39 07 Cycling 47 08 BusConnects 55 09 Suburban Rail 63 10 Light Rail 69 11 Parking 75 12 Public Transport Interchange and Integration 79 13 Roads 83 14 Freight, Delivery and Servicing 95 15 Supporting Measures 99 16 Implementation 105 17 Environmental Protection and Management’. 111 18 Strategy Outcomes 115 19 Public Consultation 121 CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY 3 01 INTRODUCTION The Cork Metropolitan Area (CMA) is The projected growth and increased The Strategy takes its lead at national level Cork already performs in the midst of an exciting phase of its demand for travel also intensifies Ireland’s from the National Planning Framework well as a major urban development. The recently-published current decarbonisation challenge, as 2040 and the National Development Plan National Planning Framework (NPF) 2040 transport accounts for approximately 20% 2018-2027 and builds upon previous centre in Ireland and envisages that Cork will become the of the country’s greenhouse gases. CMATS transport studies including Cork City Centre the City has positioned fastest-growing city region in Ireland with is aligned with the Climate Action Plan Movement Strategy, Cork Area Strategic a projected 50% to 60% increase of its 2019 and is committed to facilitating a shift Plan (CASP) and the Cork Metropolitan itself as an emerging population in the period up to 2040. toward sustainable and active modes. Cycle Network Plan. medium-sized European centre of This projected population and associated To address these challenges, the Cork The Strategy will provide a coherent economic growth will result in a significant Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy transport planning policy framework and growth and innovation. increase in the demand for travel. This (CMATS) 2040 (the “Strategy”) has been implementation plan around which other Building on this potential demand needs to be managed and developed by the National Transport agencies involved in land use planning, is critical to further planned for carefully to safeguard and Authority (NTA) in collaboration with environmental protection, and delivery of enhance Cork’s attractiveness to live, Transport Infrstructure Ireland (TII), Cork other infrastructure such as housing and enhancing Ireland’s work, visit and invest in. City Council and Cork County Council. water can align their investment priorities. metropolitan profile. There is limited capacity within the existing CMATS represents a coordinated land CMATS will inform the development of National Planning Framework 2040 CMA transport network to cater for use and transport strategy for the Cork regional and local planning, and associated additional motor traffic and what capacity Metropolitan Area. It sets out a framework investment frameworks. is there will need to be allocated more for the planning and delivery of transport efficiently. Land use and transport planning infrastructure and services to support the will need to be far more closely aligned CMA’s development in the period up to 2040. to reduce the need to travel by car and support the functioning of a sustainable, integrated transport system. Implementation of CMATS Secure Funding for Next Steps Proposed Planning & Design of Measures Proposed Prepare CMATS Measures Implementation Plan 4 CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY It will align with the the Southern Assembly’s The Strategy is considered to be flexible Cork City’s pivotal role as the major A number of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy with the ability to scale up public transport regional centre for employment, education, (RSES), the statutory Cork Metropolitan Area capacity and frequencies as necessary retail and leisure for a large geographical characteristics of the Strategic Plan (MASP) and the statutory to meet changes in population and area leading to a significant number of CMA result in problems Development Plans of both Cork City employment growth along CMATS agreed long distance trips made primarily by car; and inefficiencies with Council and Cork County Council. transport corridors. Many competing demands for scarce road and kerbside space for different road users; respect to the movement This document outlines the development CMATS is considered to be a ‘live’ Some high capacity roads within Cork of the Strategy, its underpinning analysis document and will be subject to a periodic of people and goods. City such as the N22, N27 and N40, that and development, guiding principles and review process (typically 5 years) over the cause community severance and hinder proposed measures. lifetime of the Strategy. pedestrian and cyclist movement; and Supporting technical documents have Current Challenges A lack of a strategic orbital corridor to the north of the city resulting in strategic traffic also been prepared to document the work There are a number of challenges across and HGV movement from the N20 routing undertaken in developing CMATS, including the wider Cork Metropolitan Area that through the city adding to congestion, transport demand analysis, transport were considered in preparing this Strategy. noise and pollution. option development, transport modelling These are set out in the following sections: and transport networks appraisal. Travel Behaviour Land Use and Physical Constraints The complete set of background An over-reliance on the private car for Cork is projected to be the fastest reports comprise the following: relatively short trips; growing Metropolitan Area in the State. Baseline Conditions Report; The substantial increase in population, Relatively low mode share of cycling Planning Datasheet Development employment and educational use and limited (though improving) dedicated Report; will lead to a subsequent increase in cycle infrastructure; Demand Analysis Report; demand for travel; Low walking mode share outside of the current City Council administrative area; Transport Modelling Report; A legacy of dispersed patterns of residential, employment and retail A high level of car use for the school run, Transport Options Development Report; development, particularly outside of suppressing the use of public transport, Supporting Measures Report; the central city area; walking and cycling and contributing to Regional Spacial and Economic A unique and challenging geography car-based congestion during the morning Strategy (RSES) Addendum Report characterised by steep topography and afternoon inter-peak periods; Public Consultation Report; and waterways; Low level of parking control through, Strategic Environmental Assessment The general unsuitability of the road for example, controlled parking zones, (SEA); and network - particularly within the leading to commuter parking in residential areas; and Appropriate Assessment (AA). medieval city core and arterial routes - to accommodate relatively high volumes Complex one-way systems creating high of peak time vehicular traffic; speed environments. BRT CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY 5 Public Transport Provision Constraints on the rail network that Over-provision of junctions along the N40 A need to provide equitable transport A largely bus based local public transport limit frequency and capacity at Kent resulting in motorists using the strategic accessibility to essential services, network with a limited number of high station; and road network for local trips and a lack education and employment to help frequency services (i.e. headways of 15 Overprovision of car parking (including of alternative orbital routes or public reduce deprivation. minutes or better); the continued use of minimum standards transport options for movement along this corridor; and Long journey times and delays on the in some cases) undermining the viability Vision and Principles current bus network negatively impacting and attractiveness of public transport. A need to facilitate the movement of CMATS will deliver an integrated transport passengers and operating costs; goods on the strategic road network network that addresses the needs of Congestion and Economy and to maintain efficient access to key all modes of transport, offering better Split inbound and outbound bus routes, locations