N24 CARRICK-ON-SUIR PAVEMENT STRENGTHENING AND TRAFFIC ENHANCEMENTS SCHEME TIPPERARY COUNTY COUNCIL Part 8 Planning Report January 2020 Client: Originator: Tipperary County Council, Tramore House Regional Design Office, Civic Offices, Pond Road, Nenagh, Tramore, Co. Tipperary. Co. Waterford. Tel: 076 106 5000 Email: Tel: 051 390130 [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] N24 Carrick-on-Suir Pavement Strengthening and Traffic Enhancement Scheme Part 8 Planning Report DOCUMENT CONTROL SHEET Client Tipperary County Council N24 Carrick-on-Suir Pavement Strengthening and Traffic Project Title Enhancement Scheme TII Project No. N/A Tramore House Project No. TH/18/005 Project Phase Phase 4 Statutory Procedures Document Title Part8 Planning Report Report No. TH/18/005-P4.010 Reviewed Approved Issue Status Author(s) Issue Date By By F1 Final J. O’Donovan M. Gajic G. Jones 27th January 2020 TH/18/005-P4.010 F1 1 N24 Carrick-on-Suir Pavement Strengthening and Traffic Enhancement Scheme Part 8 Planning Report REGISTRATION OF AMENDMENTS Rev. Page No.(s) Details of Amendment Date TH/18/005-P4.010 F1 2 N24 Carrick-on-Suir Pavement Strengthening and Traffic Enhancement Scheme Part 8 Planning Report TH/18/005-P4.010 F1 3 N24 Carrick-on-Suir Pavement Strengthening and Traffic Enhancement Scheme Part 8 Planning Report TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 5 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS .................................................................................................... 6 3. PLANNING POLICY AND CONTEXT .............................................................................. 99 4. NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ................................... 13 5. LANDSCAPE STRATEGY ................................................................................................. 19 6. LAND ACQUISITION AND ACCOMODATION WORKS ........................................... 1919 7. ARCHAEOLOGY ........................................................................................................... 1919 8. ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................................ 20 9. CONSTRUCTION ISSUES ................................................................................................. 21 10. BENEFITS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT .......................................................... 22 11. ROAD SAFETY AUDIT ..................................................................................................... 22 12. FUNDING ........................................................................................................................... 22 13. STATUTORY CONSULTEES ............................................................................................ 23 14. PUBLIC CONSULTATION ................................................................................................ 23 15. REFERENCES .................................................................................................................... 24 TH/18/005-P4.010 F1 4 N24 Carrick-on-Suir Pavement Strengthening and Traffic Enhancement Scheme Part 8 Planning Report 1. INTRODUCTION Tipperary County Council proposes to undertake pavement repairs along N24 National Primary Road through the town of Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary. In addition to repairs, the requirements of the Design Manual for Urban Roads will be applied to the scheme, in accordance with local and National policy. This policy gives priority to pedestrians and cyclists over motorised vehicles in urban areas. This is in the interest of providing a safer and more sustainable environment for vulnerable users in the urban townscape. As a result, the proposed Works will include: pavement reconstruction, modification of the existing traffic lanes and junctions, footways and cycling facilities. The scheme is identified as a Specified Development By, on Behalf Of, Or In Partnership with Local Authorities for the purposes of The Planning and Development Regulations, 2001, as amended, (The Regulations). Specifically, this scheme falls under Section 80 (1)(b)(1) of Part 8 of the Regulations, that is, the widening or realignment of an existing road where in the case of an urban area, the length exceeds 100m. This document, and associated plans, provides a description of the nature and extent of the proposed development and the principal features thereof as required by The Regulations. This document and attached drawings shall be made available for inspection by the Public and prescribed bodies for their comments. Following consideration of the comments received, and the making of any amendments arising, a report shall be submitted by the Chief Executive to the elected members for their resolution. The resolution may indicate that the Local Authority will carry out the proposed scheme, carry out the proposed scheme subject to variations or modifications, or not proceed with the proposed development. TH/18/005-P4.010 F1 5 N24 Carrick-on-Suir Pavement Strengthening and Traffic Enhancement Scheme Part 8 Planning Report 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS 2.1. Location The Proposed Development is located on the N24 National Route within the confines of the town of Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary. It is approximately 21km east of Clonmel and approximately 30km west of Waterford City. The scheme is approximately 3.56 km in length. The Proposed Development extends from the Tipperary/Kilkenny County Boundary to the gateway on the western approach to the town. It passes through the townlands of Ballylynch, Tinvane, Knocknaconnery, Townparks and Deerpark. The route, from the eastern direction, follows Pill Road, Greenside South Road, O’Mahoney Avenue, Well Road and Clonmel Road. The extent of the Proposed Development is indicated in Figure 2.1 below and is also shown in Volume 2: Drawings which accompanies this document. Figure 2.1: Scheme Location TH/18/005-P4.010 F1 6 N24 Carrick-on-Suir Pavement Strengthening and Traffic Enhancement Scheme Part 8 Planning Report 2.2. Current Infrastructure 2.2.1. Existing Route Environment The existing road is a single carriageway national road which varies in width from 14m to 7.2m at the narrowest in width. From the eastern direction the road passes from a rural environment at the Gateway, through a transition zone of light industrial development, to a primarily residential environment along Pill Road. A number of schools including Comeragh College, Scoil Mhuire and the CBS secondary school are also contained within this area which attracts significant traffic at peak hours during school terms. The Sean Kelly Sports Centre also has direct access to the north of the route. There are a number of junctions to residential estates from the Pill Road. The Pill Road passes under a railway bridge carrying the Rosslare to Limerick Junction line. This bridge has been raised in recent years due to numerous bridge strikes by high vehicles. The road is narrow, with a width of 7.45m and is a ‘pinch point’ along the route. The route continues to the signal controlled junction with New Street and Park View (R676). To the North the route passes green space amenity, and to the south a number of commercial properties. This junction is very wide with parking directly accessible to it from the forecourts of the commercial properties. The Court House and Garda station are also located at this junction. As the route continues along Greenside South Road, it passes St Nicholas Catholic Church and Presentation Primary School to the south, and further green amenity space to the north. Further residential properties are located on the southern boundary before passing through the junction with Kickham Street. Further commercial properties bound both sides of the road before reaching the mini-roundabout junction between O’Mahoney Avenue and New Road. The Christian Brothers School occupies the north boundary at this junction. O’Mahoney Avenue is a residential area with properties bounding both sides of the road. It runs generally in a North/South direction between two mini-roundabout junctions. At the southern end, it meets Greystone Street (R885) which gives access to the centre of the town. The route follows the N24 along Well Road which is bounded by the Fire Station and Davins GAA club on the North and by empty sites and currently unoccupied convent building. The route passes through the junction with North Quay Street and continues through a primarily residential environment to the North and green space to the south. This area, along with the junction with O’Mahoney Avenue has experienced severe flooding. This has been mitigated in recent years by a flood relief scheme. The route passes the junctions with Sean Treacy Park, Clarin Close and Lissadell Park and onto the Gateway where it enters the rural fringe. A petrol station is located at the junction with Clarin Close which also provides access to a Lidl store. Footpaths exist throughout the length of the town, with the exception of some localised areas, such as fronting Sean Kelly Sports Centre and a short section in front of the vacant site at Well Road. Cycle lanes are located on Pill Road and Well Road. The River Suir flows from west to east to the south of Carrick on Suir, at the closest point it is approximately 100m to the south of Well Road. The Glen River passes under Well Road adjacent to the Fire station and joins the River Suir at the North Quay. TH/18/005-P4.010