Roads Service Improved Roads Linking Around Londonderry Review of the Strategic Road Network Revision Schedule Strategic Road Network – Final Report February 2010 Rev Date Details Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by 00 25/02/2010 Final Report Audrey Weir Russell Bissland Russell Bissland Scott Wilson Principal Engineer Technical Director Technical Director Citypoint 2 25 Tyndrum Street Glasgow G4 0JY UK Tel. 0141 354 5600 Fax. 0141 354 5601 www.scottwilson.com This document has been prepared in accordance with the scope of Scott Wilson's appointment with its client and is subject to the terms of that appointment. It is addressed to and for the sole and confidential use and reliance of Scott Wilson's client. Scott Wilson accepts no liability for any use of this document other than by its client and only for the purposes for which it was prepared and provided. 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The contents of this document do not provide legal or tax advice or opinion. © Scott Wilson Ltd 2010 Final Report 25 February 2010 Roads Service Improved Roads Linking Around Londonderry Review of the Strategic Road Network Contents Page No 1.0 Introduction 1 7.0 Conclusions and Recommendations 19 1.1 Background 1 7.1 Conclusions 19 1.2 Aim of the Study 2 7.2 Recommendations 20 1.3 Report Structure 2 2.0 Existing Traffic Conditions 3 2.1 Introduction 3 2.2 Existing Traffic Demand 3 2.3 Existing Trip Patterns 4 2.4 Key Issues 5 3.0 Consultations 6 3.1 Key Stakeholders 6 3.2 Key Issues from Initial Consultations 6 4.0 The Existing Road Network 8 4.1 Introduction 8 4.2 Strategic Road Improvement Programme 8 4.3 Strategic Road Improvements Around Londonderry 9 4.4 Sub-Regional Transport Plan 2015 11 4.5 NRA Strategic Road Improvements 12 5.0 Planning and Regeneration 13 5.1 Derry Area Plan 2011 13 5.2 ILEX 15 5.3 Other Major Developments 15 6.0 Future Strategic Road Network 16 6.1 Existing Traffic Volumes and Patterns 16 6.2 Existing Situation and Key Transport Problems 16 6.3 Initial Local Transport Objectives 16 6.4 A Strategy for Improved Roads Linking Around Londonderry 17 Final Report 25 February 2010 1.0 Introduction Roads Service Improved Roads Linking Around Londonderry Review of the Strategic Road Network 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background The Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan (RSTN-TP) 2015 was prepared by the Department for Regional Development and is based on the guidance set out in the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) and the Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS). The vision for transportation contained within the RDS, as defined in the RTS, is “To have a modern, sustainable, safe transportation system which benefits society, the economy and the environment and which NORTHERN CORRIDOR actively contributes to social inclusion and everyone’s quality of life”. The RSTN-TP represents a balanced approach to meeting Northern Ireland’s strategic transport LONDONDERRY needs over the defined 10 year period, making a vital contribution to the social and economic development of the region. The RSTN of Northern Ireland comprises the complete rail network, five Key Transport Corridors (KTCs), four Link Corridors, the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Corridors and the remainder of the NORTH WESTERN CORRIDOR trunk road network. The Plan consists of proposals for the maintenance, management and development of this transport network up to the end of 2015. WESTERN CORRIDOR The KTCs represent the top tier of the Region’s long distance routes connecting the cities and main towns to the major regional gateways and the Belfast Metropolitan Area (BMA) and are as follows: BELFAST the Eastern Seaboard Corridor – road and rail links between BMA and Dublin and northward to Larne, improving access to Warrenpoint and Rosslare; the Northern Corridor – links the BMA to Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Limavady and Londonderry by road and rail; the North Western Corridor – links the BMA to Londonderry, strengthening access to Belfast International Airport; the Western Corridor – links west of Lough Neagh connecting Donegal, Londonderry, Figure 1.1 – RSTN Key Transport Corridors Strabane, Omagh and onward to Monaghan and Dublin; and the South Western Corridor – links the BMA to Craigavon, the Fermanagh Lakelands, the Sperrins and to important cross-border routes. The five KTCs, highlighting the Northern, North Western and Western Corridors, are shown in Figure 1.1 opposite. Londonderry is located at the intersection of the Northern, North Western and Western Key Transport Corridors. Final Report 1 25 February 2010 Roads Service Improved Roads Linking Around Londonderry Review of the Strategic Road Network 1.2 Aim of the Study Scott Wilson was appointed by Roads Service to undertake a high level study of traffic movements around the city of Londonderry on the strategic road network and to consider how traffic on these strategic routes could best be distributed into and around the city. The key elements of the study are as follows: Assemble information concerning proposals in the area; Assess the impact of the A2, A5 and A6 improvement schemes; Prepare a report on the current and future situation, making recommendations on how best to distribute traffic into and around the city; and Recommend a programme of further work. This report has been prepared based on the assembled information and focuses on a review of the current and future traffic situation around the city and includes recommendations on how best to distribute traffic into and around the city. To address the requirements of the study, the available information has been reviewed, a general study area has been defined and various transport corridors have been considered. The results of an Initial Feasibility Study for providing a new road link between the A5 and A6, considering indicative route options and key environmental constraints, are reported separately. General location plans of the study area are shown in Figures 1.2 to 1.4. 1.3 Report Structure This report has been prepared to describe the work undertaken to satisfy the requirements of the study. Chapter 2 presents a high-level review of existing conditions within the study area. Chapter 3 summarises the consultations which have taken place with the key stakeholders during the course of the study. Chapter 4 includes information on the strategic network improvements that are currently being developed by Roads Service and the National Roads Authority. Chapter 5 provides details of local planning and regeneration initiatives which affect the study area. Chapter 6 provides details of the strategy for improved roads linking around Londonderry. Chapter 7 sets out the conclusions and recommendations of this study. Final Report 2 25 February 2010 2.0 Existing Traffic Conditions Roads Service Improved Roads Linking Around Londonderry Review of the Strategic Road Network 2.0 Existing Traffic Conditions Roads Service is currently developing, assessing and constructing a number of major road schemes in and around the city to improve transport conditions which will influence the way traffic approaches 2.1 Introduction and moves around the city. Londonderry is the principal retailing centre and commercial core for the Derry City Council area and The purpose of this section of the report is to provide a high level overview of existing traffic for the neighbouring areas of Limavady and Strabane and for parts of Donegal. It is a busy retail conditions within the area based on currently available information to assist in establishing strategic centre and its regional role has been confirmed and enhanced in recent times with the opening of baseline traffic demand and trip distribution patterns. This information includes long term automatic major new facilities. traffic counts and trip information obtained from a programme of roadside interview surveys undertaken in 2006 on the principal routes into the city. Because of the District’s historic heritage and strategic location between County Donegal and the Causeway Coast, it is already an important tourist destination. Within the city, the major features of interest include the City Walls and various museums and visitor centres. Beyond the City, the Areas 2.2 Existing Traffic Demand of Scenic Value associated with the Foyle and Faughan valleys and the Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty represent important tourist attractions. Roads Service maintains a network of automatic traffic counters (ATCs) throughout Northern Ireland to provide a basis for long term monitoring of traffic demand. The locations of the counters around The Population and Migration Estimates for Northern Ireland (2008) – Statistical Report, issued in the city of Londonderry and the most recent available data are shown in Figure 2.1. July 2009, indicates that the population of Derry Local Government District increased by 0.5% from 108,500 in June 2007 to 109,100 in June Examination of the traffic data in 2007 indicates that the A5 south of New Buildings carried some 2008. 12,030 vehicles during an average day, increasing to 12,930 vehicles during a typical weekday. The A5 north of Bolies in 2007 carried some 17,390 vehicles during an average day, increasing to 18,350 Examination of the information indicates that vehicles during a typical weekday. Although not part of the Roads Service ATC network, Woodside Children 24% of the population are children under the Working Age Road, which runs generally parallel and to the east of the A5 route, carried some 3,600 vehicles per age of 16, 63% are of a working age and only Pensioners day in June 2009, which is equivalent to 4,100 vehicles during a typical weekday.