Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study Post-Consultation Report | July 2021 Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study | Post Consultation Report Table of Contents Executive Summary 03 1. Introduction. 09 2. Approach to Public Consultation. 11 3. Informing the Public. 13 4. Publicising the Public Consultation. 15 5. Feedback and Submissions Overview. 16 6. Walking and Cycling. 21 7. Public Transport. 22 8. Access, Gates and Roads. 24 9. Other Considerations. 26 10. Public Consultation Process. 29 11. Conclusion and Next Steps. 30 Appendices. 2 Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study | Post Consultation Report Executive Summary With regard to the proposals to Knockmaroon The Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study also recognised the unique and complex This Post-Consultation Report aims to set out how Gate/Road, further data collection and traffic variety of functions that the Park serves, including the public consultation process was managed, how modelling is to be undertaken with a view to its historic landscape, biodiversity habitat, visitor many people interacted with the public implementing this action in Phase 3. In tandem consultation, and summarise the issues and with the introduction of the pilot bus service, attractions and recreational space. Cabra Gate will convert to a bus only gate. concerns raised throughout the public consultation A non-statutory public consultation on the Phoenix Pilot Cul de Sac Proposals | The proposed Cul de process. Key outcomes and next steps are set out Park Transport and Mobility Options Study took Sac for the Upper Glen Road will proceed on a in this report. place over six weeks between 29th January and pilot basis subject to data collection and review. 12th March 2021. We will not be proceeding with the cul de sac on the North Road. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated As a result of the feedback received during the Government restrictions were in effect during this Overview of key Outcomes consultation, the North Road proposal will now be period, so the public consultation format was Consultation participation | Over 2,200 piloted as a one-way route from Cabra Gate to adapted to ensure compliance with guidelines at submissions were received from members of the Garda HQ, i.e. West to East. Car parking will be the time. An online public consultation experience public, stakeholders and elected representatives. maintained on the North Road. This will allow for or virtual room was provided to allow stakeholders Walking and Cycling Improvements | The comprehensive studies to be undertaken and and the general public to view maps and project majority of the feedback supported the reviewed. information and to submit their feedback in a safe implementation of new and improved pedestrian and accessible environment. and cycle routes including facilities for the public Process as well as linking to routes external to the park. Minister of State with responsibility for the Office In the past year, the Phoenix Park has been Public Transport Proposal | A significant of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan welcomed appreciated by all users as a valued urban green proportion of the public supported people using people into the room through a video and space. The need to protect and conserve the more sustainable ways to access the park. The encouraged feedback on all aspects of the Study. historic character of the Park and its natural majority of feedback received supported the heritage is overwhelmingly supported by the public. The public was informed of the consultation via preferred bus option for the proposed route in the A Steering Group supported by a Working Group traditional media articles and newspaper and radio Study stopping at visitor attractions in the Park comprising officials from the Office of Public adverts, posters on entrance gates in the Park, and linking with Heuston Station and Broombridge Works, the National Transport Authority, Dublin City online methods such as social media posts and Station. Council, Fingal County Council and external adverts on social media platforms. The Project Access, Gates and Roads Proposals | It should experts, worked in collaboration, to develop a Team held twelve meetings with elected be noted that all gates currently open will remain framework to help shape and inform a vision for representatives and key stakeholders. open. The majority of the feedback supported the how visitors will access, experience and move principle of reducing traffic in the Park. The The virtual room consultation received almost within the Phoenix Park. This will ensure the Ashtown Gate will remain two-way in the medium 7,000 unique visitors. The majority of visitors used integrity of the Phoenix Park as a public term until further studies are undertaken. their mobile phones to view the information (4,387 recreational amenity is preserved whilst users). This was followed by over 2,000 users accommodating access for all. using a computer device. 3 Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study | Post Consultation Report Consultation Findings Only 8% of respondents indicated that they used AGE OF RESPONDENT Over 2,200 submissions were made by the general the Phoenix Park as a commuter route. While 1% of public, organisations, and elected representatives. respondents are employed within the Park, some 3% of respondents use it for parking. It is The study received the most responses from 30% private individuals along with 94 responses from significant to note that of those who travel to the Organisations and 28 responses from Resident 27% Phoenix Park, just over 30% travel by car, 30% cycle Associations. while 30% walk. At present, only 6% avail of public 22% transport while accessing the Phoenix Park. The majority of submissions received were through the online feedback form. We also received a large WHY PEOPLE TRAVEL TO volume via email and some through the Freepost THE PARK address. The large volume of submissions received during 9% 8% the consultation period demonstrates that, despite 24% pandemic restrictions, a significant proportion of 22% 3% the public expressed their views on the Transport 2% and Mobility Options Study. 24 29 39 49 64 - - - - - Submissions type Numbers of submissions 15% 15 25 30 40 50 13% Feedback Form 1,293 11% submissions 8% Postal submissions 23 65 AND OVER Email submissions 978 3% PREFER SAY TO NOT PREFER 2% 1% Total submissions 2,294 1% 1% … … A broad representation of age groups participated … with the consultation process. The age profile of people submitting an online feedback form was Other 30% of over 50-year olds, almost 30% of 40 to 49- year-olds, and 30% of 30 to 39-year-olds. The majority of respondents live within the Dublin 7, For exercise Dublin 15 and Dublin City Council administrative I work in the Park work the I in areas. When asked how frequently respondents I go on family outings visited the Park currently, the majority of responses For visitor attractions (59%) indicated daily or several times a week. Socialisingfriends with Visiting Visiting otherinstitutions I use the parking facilities parkingfacilities the use I From the analysis of submissions received on why people travelled to the Phoenix Park, 85% of Hositpal Mary'sorVisiting St. Avail of the outdoor amenities of respondents go to the Phoenix Park to use the travelI through the Parkon tomy amenities, visit attractions, socialise with friends or Movement Principles for outdoor exercise. 4 Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study | Post Consultation Report Feedback form respondents were asked if they Conclusion and Next Steps Access, Gates and Roads Proposals supported the movement principles of the Study. The information and comments received in the Some 74% of respondents supported the view that The responses were overwhelmingly in favour of submissions were categorised into five common Park roads are primarily for people visiting and the principles. The highest agreement was 95.5% themes, Walking and Cycling, Access, Gates and working in the Park. Significant feedback was supporting ‘The Park is for People’. The lowest in Roads, Public Transport, Other Considerations and received concerning the Access, Gates and Roads favour but still at 72.4% was for the principle ‘We Public Consultation. Just over 40% of the feedback proposals. will seek to reduce commuter through traffic’, as received was about Access, Gates and Roads. While the public supported the Movement illustrated in the figures below. The second highest themes was Other Principles in general, some feedback suggested that traffic congestion may occur, particular in DO YOU SUPPORT THE Considerations which included topics such as park Castleknock and Chapelizod villages. Accordingly, MOVEMENT PRINCIPLES OF infrastructure, biodiversity etc. Over 15% of the Ashtown Gate will remain two-way in the THE PHOENIX PARK responses was with regard to Walking and Cycling. medium term until further studies are undertaken. TRANSPORT AND MOBILITY Public Transport accounted for just under 10% of OPTIONS STUDY? the feedback. With regard to the proposals to Knockmaroon Walking and Cycling Improvements Gate/Road, further data collection and traffic Yes No 83% of respondents supported enhanced walking modelling is to be undertaken with a view to and cycling facilities and therefore these proposals implementing this action in Phase 3. In tandem with the introduction of the pilot bus service, Cabra We will protect and will be advanced in the short to medium term, as conserve the Biodiversity Gate will convert to a bus only exit/entry point. No and historic landscape 91.50% 8.50% resources are made available. All entrance fabric of the Phoenix Park arrangements will be reviewed so as to prioritise other gates will be impacted as a result of the pedestrian and cyclist access, as appropriate to the proposals within this study. park designations. The Park is for People 95.50% 4.50% The proposed Cul de Sac for the Upper Glen Road Public Transport Proposals will proceed on a pilot basis subject to data collection and review in Phase 1.