Walking and Cycling Strategy for Newcastle West January 2013 Rev D Roughan & O’Donovan Walking and Cycling Strategy Consulting Engineers for Newcastle West TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 4 1.1 Background .............................................................................................................................. 4 1.2 Purpose of the Strategy ........................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Benefits of Walking and Cycling .............................................................................................. 4 2.0 POLICY CONTEXT ............................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Background .............................................................................................................................. 6 2.2 Smarter Travel: A Sustainable Transport Future 2009 - 2020 ................................................. 6 2.3 National Cycle Policy Framework 2009 ................................................................................... 6 2.4 Limerick County Development Plan 2010-2016 ...................................................................... 7 2.5 Newcastle West Local Area Plan 2008 – 2014 ........................................................................ 8 2.6 N21 Traffic Studies ................................................................................................................ 10 3.0 EXISTING NETWORK AUDIT ............................................................................................. 11 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 11 3.2 Great Southern Trail (Drawing No. 002) ................................................................................ 11 3.3 The Castle Demesne (Drawing No. 003) ................................................................................ 15 3.4 Arra River Walkway (Drawing No. 004) ................................................................................. 17 3.5 Slí na Sláinte Walking Circuit (Drawing No. 005) ................................................................... 19 3.6 Town Centre Street Conditions (Drawing No. 006) ............................................................... 20 3.6.1 Bridge Street ................................................................................................................. 20 3.6.2 Maiden Street ............................................................................................................... 21 3.6.3 The Square .................................................................................................................... 21 3.6.4 Church Street ................................................................................................................ 23 3.6.5 Bishop Street ................................................................................................................. 24 3.6.6 Market Yard .................................................................................................................. 25 3.6.7 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 26 3.7 Inner Area of Town (Drawing No. 007) ................................................................................. 26 3.7.1 Gortboy West (St. Ita’s to Bishop Street) ...................................................................... 27 3.7.2 Sheehan’s Road ............................................................................................................. 28 Example of Upstand Kerb on Brewery Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin ................................................ 31 3.7.3 Churchtown Road ......................................................................................................... 31 3.8 N21 Route / St. Mary's Road / South Quay (Drawing No. 008) ............................................. 34 3.9 R521 Eastern Ring Route / Gortboy / Station Road / Ardagh Road (Drawing No. 009) ........ 43 3.9.1 R521 Gortboy ................................................................................................................ 44 3.9.2 R521 Station Road ......................................................................................................... 46 3.9.3 R521 Ardagh Road ......................................................................................................... 48 3.10 Radial Routes on Southern Side of the Town Centre (Drawing No. 010) .............................. 51 3.10.1 R520 Bruff Line .............................................................................................................. 51 3.10.2 Cork Road ...................................................................................................................... 52 3.10.3 Bóthar Bui ..................................................................................................................... 53 3.10.4 Lower Knockane Road ................................................................................................... 54 4.0 CURRENT TRAVEL TRENDS ............................................................................................... 56 4.1 2006 Census Data .................................................................................................................. 56 4.2 2012 Traffic Count Data ......................................................................................................... 58 5.0 STRATEGY VISION ........................................................................................................... 60 5.1 Objective of the Strategy ....................................................................................................... 60 5.2 Areas of Potential Cycle Desire.............................................................................................. 60 Ref: 12.201 January 2013 Page | 1 Roughan & O’Donovan Walking and Cycling Strategy Consulting Engineers for Newcastle West 5.3 Target Modal Splits ................................................................................................................ 61 6.0 STRATEGY - ENGINEERING INTERVENTIONS ..................................................................... 62 6.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 62 6.2 Greenways ............................................................................................................................. 62 6.2.1 Arra River Greenway ..................................................................................................... 62 6.3 Cycle Tracks ........................................................................................................................... 63 6.4 Cycle Lane and Traffic Calming .............................................................................................. 63 6.5 Mixed Street .......................................................................................................................... 63 6.6 Traffic Calming ....................................................................................................................... 64 6.7 Cycle Parking.......................................................................................................................... 64 6.8 New Footpaths ...................................................................................................................... 64 6.9 Toucan or Zebra Crossings ..................................................................................................... 65 6.10 Permeability Links .................................................................................................................. 65 6.11 Junction Improvements ......................................................................................................... 66 6.12 Signage................................................................................................................................... 66 6.13 30 km/h Speed Limit .............................................................................................................. 67 6.14 Transportation Hub ............................................................................................................... 67 7.0 STRATEGY – SOFT MEASURES .......................................................................................... 68 7.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 68 7.2 Smarter Travel Champion ...................................................................................................... 68 7.3 Promotional Material ............................................................................................................ 68 7.3.1 Existing Cycle/Walking Routes ...................................................................................... 68 7.3.2 Cycle/Walking Events .................................................................................................... 69 7.3.3 Bike to Work Scheme .................................................................................................... 70 7.3.4 Cycle Training Information ...........................................................................................