Julianstown Traffic Calming Scheme Design Statement Meath County Council Project number: 60582424 January 2020 Julianstown Traffic Calming Scheme Quality information Prepared by Checked by Verified by Approved by Michael Condon Conor Luttrell Michael Condon Eoin O'Mahony Revision History Revision Revision date Details Authorized Name Position 0 Jan 2020 Draft EOM Eoin Regional O’Mahony Director A March 2020 Updated with comments MC Michael Principal Condon Engineer B January 2021 Updated to reflect cottages MC Michael Principal and bridge parapet Condon Engineer Distribution List # Hard Copies PDF Required Association / Company Name 0 1 MCC 0 1 (Rev A) MCC 0 1 (Rev B) MCC Julianstown Traffic Calming Scheme Prepared for: Meath County Council Prepared by: AECOM Ireland Limited 1st floor, Montrose House Carrigaline Road Douglas, Cork T12 P088 Ireland T: +353 21 436 5006 aecom.com © 2020 AECOM Ireland Limited. All Rights Reserved. This document has been prepared by AECOM Ireland Limited (“AECOM”) for sole use of our client (the “Client”) in accordance with generally accepted consultancy principles, the budget for fees and the terms of reference agreed between AECOM and the Client. Any information provided by third parties and referred to herein has not been checked or verified by AECOM, unless otherwise expressly stated in the document. No third party may rely upon this document without the prior and express written agreement of AECOM. Julianstown Traffic Calming Scheme Table of Contents 1. Introduction ...................................................................................... 5 2. Scheme Description and Proposed Development ......................... 10 3. Conclusion ..................................................................................... 14 Julianstown Traffic Calming Scheme 1. Introduction 1.1 Brief The R132 (Old N1) through Julianstown is wide and fast, greatly affecting the way in which the village functions. The brief required interventions to readdress the balance between motorised vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Meath County Council wanted to change the perception of the road, turning it into a street incorporating pedestrian and cycling facilities. 1.2 Site Description/Location Julianstown is located on the eastern side of County Meath, 7km south of Drogheda and 40km north of Dublin. It is located on the R132 road which, prior to the construction of the M1 motorway was the principal road connection between Dublin and Belfast. Significant volumes of traffic pass through the village daily which affects the way in which the village functions. Figure 1.1 Location of Julianstown 5 Julianstown Traffic Calming Scheme 1.3 Need for the Scheme The total population of the settlement of Julianstown was recorded as 681 people, and the electoral division of Julianstown was recorded as 10,176 during the 2016 census. For a long time, traffic has been a major problem in Julianstown. This stems back to its location at a principal crossing point of the River Nanny, making Julianstown a key location on the road northwards from Dublin. Despite construction of the M1 motorway, traffic through the village continues to be relatively heavy and fast. Traffic counts indicate that 20,000 vehicles drive through Julianstown each weekday. The volume of traffic can be linked to housing growth in south Drogheda, Laytown and Bettystown, as well as the location of road tolls on the M1, encouraging some drivers to take an alternative route through the village. The impact of traffic is such that it has been anecdotally reported that people are less inclined to spend time in the village. The risk presented by traffic negatively impacts the volume of pedestrians and cyclist activity in the village. This is further compounded by a lack of footways in key areas and the limited provision for pedestrian crossing points. 1.4 Traffic Volumes Transport Infrastructure Ireland maintain a traffic counter south of Julianstown on the R132. The counter indicates annual average daily traffic volumes (AADT) through the village of 20,732 vehicles in 2019. The percentage of Heavy Goods Vehicles is recorded at 2.6% in 2019. AADT Figure 1.2 AADT on R132 Julianstown between Years 2013 and 2018. 6 Julianstown Traffic Calming Scheme 1.5 Traffic Speeds The average speed of traffic travelling through the village is above the speed limit of 50kph for most of the day. Lower speeds correspond to times of the day where the road is congested during the peak times. Speed data is outlined in the figure below. Figure 1.3 Speed Survey Data 1.6 Road Collisions The Road Safety Authority’s database of road collisions was consulted. The database identifies collisions as fatal, serious and minor between the years 2005 and 2016. The database indicates a cluster of collisions in the subject area. Most of the collisions are identified as minor with 2 serious recorded in 2007 and 2010. Figure 1.4 Road Collisions recorded in RSA database in Julianstown 7 Julianstown Traffic Calming Scheme 1.7 Design Constraints 1. The Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Determination Report outlines the existing natural environmental, biodiversity and cultural heritage designations of relevance to the scheme. These include the schemes location circa. 1.2 km upstream of the River Nanny Estuary and Shore SPA and circa. 4.5 km and 5.5 km south east from Boyne Coast and Estuary Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (site code 001957) and Boyne Estuary SPA (site code 004080) respectively. 2. The R132 runs through the Julianstown Architectural Conservation Area (ACA). There are several protected structures within the boundaries of Julianstown Village ACA that are protected under Part IV of the Planning & Development Act 2000. Further details are contained in the Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Determination Report. A terrace of six houses are listed in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage under registration number 14323004. The composition states: ‘Terrace of six three-bay two-storey former estate workers' houses, built c.1895, with porch canopies supported by carved timber brackets. Pitched slate roof with red brick chimneystacks and cast-iron rainwater goods. Carved timber bargeboards to gabled dormers. Roughcast rendered walls, with red brick quoins to terminating houses. Square- headed window openings with stone sills. Remains of granite bollards to street’. 3. The existing bridge over the River Nanny is also listed in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage under registration number 14323002. The composition states: ‘Triple-arch road bridge, built c.1880, with dressed stone walls, ashlar cutwaters, voussoirs, string course and parapet’. 4. Both items mention in paragraphs 2 and 3 are listed within the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage act as a constraint on the project as they limit the options for development. 5. The existing carriageway corridor does not have sufficient space to incorporate a 3m shared use path, numerous pinch points exist along the route. 6. Although not a design constraint, it is worth noting that constructability also acts as a constraint on the project due to the high volumes of traffic using the R132. 8 Julianstown Traffic Calming Scheme 1.8 Existing Provision for Pedestrians and Cyclists The existing provision for pedestrians and cyclists along the R132 is highlighted in the following photographs. Pedestrians were observed walking along the hard shoulder of the carriageway. Where footways are provided, they are relatively narrow (less than 2m). There are no dedicated facilities for cyclists along the R132. Figure 1.5 Provision for Pedestrians 1.9 Existing Provision for Vehicular Traffic The existing carriageway is 7.3m (3.65m lanes) along the R132 on approach to Julianstown Village. The carriageway increases to 9m on the outer extents of the village but traffic calming incorporates 2m traffic islands which reduces the lane widths to 3.5m. The existing carriageway reduces further through the village, the width reduces to 6.5m wide (3.25m lanes). 1.10 Design Guidance and Approach The Julianstown Traffic Calming Scheme has been developed with reference to Transport Infrastructure Ireland ‘The Treatment of Transition Zones to Towns and Villages on National Roads’ (DN-GEO-03084), the National Transport Authority ‘National Cycle Manual’ and the Department of Transport Tourism and Sports Publication ‘Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets’. The proposed scheme considers the existing character of Julianstown whilst developing a solution to ensure Julianstown is a more attractive proposition for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicular traffic. Where possible: a. Existing quality trees and hedgerows will be retained, b. The carriageway will be reduced to encourage lower vehicle speeds through the village, and c. Provision of improved pedestrian lighting along the scheme. 9 Julianstown Traffic Calming Scheme 2. Scheme Description and Proposed Development The Julianstown traffic calming scheme extends between the existing gateways to the north and south of the village and includes the junctions of the R132 with the Laytown Road, the Duleek Road and the Ballygarth Road. Figure 1.6 Scheme Extents Refer to AECOM Drawings SK_054.1 – SK_054.4 for the scheme proposals. The scheme proposes the retention of the existing gateway signage to the north and south of Julianstown village. The existing speed limits are also proposed to be retained. Generally, the 10 Julianstown Traffic Calming Scheme scheme proposes the reallocation of road space