CORK METROPOLITAN AREA - TRANSPORT STRATEGY 2040 - National Transport Authority

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CORK METROPOLITAN AREA - TRANSPORT STRATEGY 2040 - National Transport Authority
Bonneagar Iompair Eireann
                                                                           Transport Infrastructure Ireland

                           CORK
                           METROPOLITAN
                           AREA
                           TRANSPORT STRATEGY 2040

                                                                                                              LRT

Cork City Council   Black Ash Park & Ride   Comhairle Cathairle Chaorcaí
CORK METROPOLITAN AREA - TRANSPORT STRATEGY 2040 - National Transport Authority
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

National Transport Authority:        Transport Infrastructure Ireland:   Systra:
Hugh Creegan                         Paul Moran                          Ian Byrne
Owen Shinkwin                        Tara Spain                          Jack Sheehan
Roy O’Connor                         Eoin Gillard                        Paul Hussey
                                                                         Sinead Canny
Cork City Council:                   Jacobs:                             Allanah Murphy
Gerry O’Beirne                       John Paul FitzGerald                Benjamin Loreille
Ann Bogan                            Kevin Burke                         Joshua Noon
Edith Roberts                        Sarah Cooper
Elizabeth Kidney                     David Siddle                        Dolphin 3D Photomontages:
                                     Jennifer Egan                       Philip Watkin
Cork County Council:                 Ciara Murphy
Peter O’Donoghue                     Richard Eastman                     Chetwynd Viaduct Photograph
Michael W. Lynch                                                         © David Moloney, used with kind permission.
Padraig Moore

Date of publication: February 2020
CORK METROPOLITAN AREA - TRANSPORT STRATEGY 2040 - National Transport Authority
CORK
METROPOLITAN
AREA
TRANSPORT STRATEGY 2040
This Strategy will deliver an accessible,
integrated transport network that
enables the sustainable growth of the
Cork Metropolitan Area as a dynamic,
connected, and internationally competitive
European city region as envisaged by the
National Planning Framework 2040.
CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY

00 CONTENTS
01 Introduction                                     3
02 Policy Context                                   9
03 Existing Transport Context                      17
04 CMATS 2040 Land Use                             23
05 Strategy Development and Outcomes               29
06 Walking                                         39
07 Cycling                                         47
08 BusConnects                                     55
09 Suburban Rail                                   63
10 Light Rail                                      69
11 Parking                                         75
12 Public Transport Interchange and Integration    79
13 Roads                                           83
14 Freight, Delivery and Servicing                 95
15 Supporting Measures                             99
16 Implementation                                 105
17 Environmental Protection and Management’.      111
18 Strategy Outcomes                              115
19 Public Consultation                            121
CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY               3

01 INTRODUCTION
                                   The Cork Metropolitan Area (CMA) is             The projected growth and increased              The Strategy takes its lead at national level
Cork already performs              in the midst of an exciting phase of its        demand for travel also intensifies Ireland’s    from the National Planning Framework
well as a major urban              development. The recently-published
                                   National Planning Framework (NPF) 2040
                                                                                   current decarbonisation challenge, as
                                                                                   transport accounts for approximately 20%
                                                                                                                                   2040 and the National Development Plan
                                                                                                                                   2018-2027 and builds upon previous
centre in Ireland and              envisages that Cork will become the             of the country’s greenhouse gases. CMATS        transport studies including Cork City Centre
the City has positioned            fastest-growing city region in Ireland with     is aligned with the Climate Action Plan         Movement Strategy, Cork Area Strategic
                                   a projected 50% to 60% increase of its          2019 and is committed to facilitating a shift   Plan (CASP) and the Cork Metropolitan
itself as an emerging              population in the period up to 2040.            toward sustainable and active modes.            Cycle Network Plan.
medium-sized
European centre of                 This projected population and associated        To address these challenges, the Cork           The Strategy will provide a coherent
                                   economic growth will result in a significant    Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy            transport planning policy framework and
growth and innovation.             increase in the demand for travel. This         (CMATS) 2040 (the “Strategy”) has been          implementation plan around which other
Building on this potential         demand needs to be managed and                  developed by the National Transport             agencies involved in land use planning,
is critical to further             planned for carefully to safeguard and          Authority (NTA) in collaboration with           environmental protection, and delivery of
                                   enhance Cork’s attractiveness to live,          Transport Infrstructure Ireland (TII), Cork     other infrastructure such as housing and
enhancing Ireland’s                work, visit and invest in.                      City Council and Cork County Council.           water can align their investment priorities.
metropolitan profile.
                                   There is limited capacity within the existing   CMATS represents a coordinated land             CMATS will inform the development of
National Planning Framework 2040   CMA transport network to cater for              use and transport strategy for the Cork         regional and local planning, and associated
                                   additional motor traffic and what capacity      Metropolitan Area. It sets out a framework      investment frameworks.
                                   is there will need to be allocated more         for the planning and delivery of transport
                                   efficiently. Land use and transport planning    infrastructure and services to support the
                                   will need to be far more closely aligned        CMA’s development in the period up to 2040.
                                   to reduce the need to travel by car and
                                   support the functioning of a sustainable,
                                   integrated transport system.
                                                                                                                                          Implementation of
                                                                                                                                          CMATS
                                                                                                        Secure Funding for
                                   Next Steps
                                                                                                        Proposed
                                                                        Planning & Design of            Measures
                                                                        Proposed
                                      Prepare CMATS                     Measures
                                      Implementation
                                      Plan
4   CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY

                                         It will align with the the Southern Assembly’s   The Strategy is considered to be flexible       ƒƒ Cork City’s pivotal role as the major
    A number of                          Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy           with the ability to scale up public transport      regional centre for employment, education,
                                         (RSES), the statutory Cork Metropolitan Area     capacity and frequencies as necessary              retail and leisure for a large geographical
    characteristics of the               Strategic Plan (MASP) and the statutory          to meet changes in population and                  area leading to a significant number of
    CMA result in problems               Development Plans of both Cork City              employment growth along CMATS agreed               long distance trips made primarily by car;
    and inefficiencies with              Council and Cork County Council.                 transport corridors.                            ƒƒ Many competing demands for scarce road
    respect to the movement              This document outlines the development           CMATS is considered to be a ‘live’
                                                                                                                                             and kerbside space for different road users;
                                                                                                                                          ƒƒ Some high capacity roads within Cork
    of people and goods.                 of the Strategy, its underpinning analysis       document and will be subject to a periodic
                                                                                                                                             City such as the N22, N27 and N40, that
                                         and development, guiding principles and          review process (typically 5 years) over the
                                                                                                                                             cause community severance and hinder
                                         proposed measures.                               lifetime of the Strategy.
                                                                                                                                             pedestrian and cyclist movement; and
                                         Supporting technical documents have              Current Challenges                              ƒƒ A lack of a strategic orbital corridor to the
                                         also been prepared to document the work                                                             north of the city resulting in strategic traffic
                                                                                          There are a number of challenges across
                                         undertaken in developing CMATS, including                                                           and HGV movement from the N20 routing
                                                                                          the wider Cork Metropolitan Area that
                                         transport demand analysis, transport                                                                through the city adding to congestion,
                                                                                          were considered in preparing this Strategy.
                                         option development, transport modelling                                                             noise and pollution.
                                                                                          These are set out in the following sections:
                                         and transport networks appraisal.
                                                                                                                                          Travel Behaviour
                                                                                          Land Use and Physical Constraints
                                         The complete set of background                                                                   ƒƒ An over-reliance on the private car for
                                         reports comprise the following:                  ƒƒ Cork is projected to be the fastest
                                                                                                                                             relatively short trips;
                                                                                             growing Metropolitan Area in the State.
                                         ƒƒ Baseline Conditions Report;                      The substantial increase in population,      ƒƒ Relatively low mode share of cycling
                                         ƒƒ Planning Datasheet Development                   employment and educational use                  and limited (though improving) dedicated
                                            Report;                                          will lead to a subsequent increase in           cycle infrastructure;
                                         ƒƒ Demand Analysis Report;                          demand for travel;                           ƒƒ Low walking mode share outside of the
                                                                                          ƒƒ A legacy of dispersed patterns of               current City Council administrative area;
                                         ƒƒ Transport Modelling Report;
                                                                                             residential, employment and retail           ƒƒ A high level of car use for the school run,
                                         ƒƒ Transport Options Development Report;
                                                                                             development, particularly outside of            suppressing the use of public transport,
                                         ƒƒ Supporting Measures Report;                      the central city area;                          walking and cycling and contributing to
                                         ƒƒ Regional Spacial and Economic                 ƒƒ A unique and challenging geography              car-based congestion during the morning
                                            Strategy (RSES) Addendum Report                  characterised by steep topography               and afternoon inter-peak periods;
                                         ƒƒ Public Consultation Report;                      and waterways;                               ƒƒ Low level of parking control through,
                                         ƒƒ Strategic Environmental Assessment            ƒƒ The general unsuitability of the road           for example, controlled parking zones,
                                            (SEA); and                                       network - particularly within the               leading to commuter parking in residential
                                                                                             medieval city core and arterial routes -        areas; and
                                         ƒƒ Appropriate Assessment (AA).
                                                                                             to accommodate relatively high volumes       ƒƒ Complex one-way systems creating high
                                                                                             of peak time vehicular traffic;                 speed environments.

                                                                                                BRT
CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY            5

Public Transport Provision                      ƒƒ Constraints on the rail network that          ƒƒ Over-provision of junctions along the N40    ƒƒ A need to provide equitable transport
ƒƒ A largely bus based local public transport      limit frequency and capacity at Kent             resulting in motorists using the strategic      accessibility to essential services,
   network with a limited number of high           station; and                                     road network for local trips and a lack         education and employment to help
   frequency services (i.e. headways of 15      ƒƒ Overprovision of car parking (including          of alternative orbital routes or public         reduce deprivation.
   minutes or better);                             the continued use of minimum standards           transport options for movement along this
ƒƒ Long journey times and delays on the            in some cases) undermining the viability         corridor; and                                Vision and Principles
   current bus network negatively impacting        and attractiveness of public transport.       ƒƒ A need to facilitate the movement of         CMATS will deliver an integrated transport
   passengers and operating costs;                                                                  goods on the strategic road network          network that addresses the needs of
                                                Congestion and Economy                              and to maintain efficient access to key      all modes of transport, offering better
ƒƒ Split inbound and outbound bus routes,
                                                ƒƒ Concerns that on-going congestion will           locations including the Port of Cork and     transport choices, resulting in better
   and longer journey distances created by
                                                   inhibit the ability of the CMA to attract        the National Road network.                   overall network performance and providing
   one-way systems;
                                                   further inward investment;                                                                    capacity to meet travel demand and
ƒƒ Inadequate level of Real Time Information                                                     Public Health and Deprivation                   support economic growth.
   (RTI) and bus shelters outside of the city   ƒƒ Concern from major employers that
                                                   public transport provision is insufficient    ƒƒ Concerns over rising levels of physical
   centre;                                                                                                                                       To achieve this vision, the guiding
                                                   to cater for an increasingly millennial and      inactivity and childhood obesity;
ƒƒ Unprotected and unmarked bus set-down                                                                                                         principles upon which CMATS is based is
                                                   car-free workforce;                           ƒƒ A recognition of the need to incorporate
   areas frequently occupied by parked cars,                                                                                                     depicted in the graphic below.
                                                ƒƒ Traffic congestion and delays at key             more active travel and incidental exercise
   forcing passengers to board and alight in
                                                   locations on the national road network           into our transport system through the re-
   the carriageway;                                                                                                                              Planning Frameworks
                                                   during peak periods, such as the                 shaping of our public realm and transport
ƒƒ A suburban rail service serving some of                                                          choices;                                     CMATS will be incorporated and aligned
                                                   Dunkettle Interchange (junction of the
   the larger East Cork settlements but a                                                                                                        with relevant future policy, strategies and
                                                   N8, M8, N25 and N40) and on sections          ƒƒ Rising concerns over the impact
   disconnection between the location of                                                                                                         implementation plans.
                                                   of the N40;                                      of transport on local air quality and
   stations relative to the town centres that
                                                                                                    subsequently people’s health; and
   they serve;
6   CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY

                                         These include the National Planning              programmes with a view to promoting                    SEA
                                         Framework 2040, the National                     sustainable development, by ensuring                   An SEA is required to be undertaken on
    This Strategy will deliver an        Development Plan 2018-2027, the                  that, in accordance with this Directive, an            the transport plan as it contributes towards
    accessible, integrated transport     Southern Assembly’s RSES and the                 environmental assessment is carried out                the framework for future development
    network that enables the             statutory Cork MASP, Development Plans           of certain plans and programmes which                  consent of projects listed in Annexes I and
    sustainable growth of the Cork       for both Cork City Council and Cork              are likely to have significant effects on              II of Directive 2011/92/EU, as amended
                                         County Council and Local Area Plans              the environment”.                                      by 2014/52/EC. The provisions of the
    Metropolitan Area as a dynamic,      issued by both local authorities. Further                                                               Strategy have been evaluated for potential
    connected, and internationally       detail on the relationship between CMATS         Appropriate Assessment (AA) is a                       significant effects, and measures have been
    competitive European city region     and these Plans are discussed in                 requirement of the European Union (EU)                 integrated into the Strategy on foot of SEA
                                         Chapters 2 and 4.                                Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) – on the                recommendations in order to ensure that
    as envisaged by the National                                                          conservation of natural habitats and                   potential adverse effects are mitigated.
    Planning Framework 2040.             Strategic Environmental                          wild flora and fauna – as transposed                   The environmental topics (including
                                         Assessment (SEA) and                             into Irish law through the European                    interrelationships) which are considered by
                                         Appropriate Assessment (AA)                      Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats)               the SEA are as follows:
                                                                                          Regulations 2011, which consolidates
                                         The preparation of CMATS is subject
                                                                                          the European Communities (Natural                      ƒƒ Air and Climatic Factors;
                                         to Strategic Environmental Assessment
                                                                                          Habitats) regulations 1997 to 2005 and the
                                         (SEA). Article 1 of SEA Directive                                                                       ƒƒ Population and Human Health;
                                                                                          European Communities (Birds and Natural
                                         (2001/42/EC) states that the “objective                                                                 ƒƒ Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna;
                                                                                          Habitats) (Control of Recreational Activities)
                                         of this Directive is to provide for a high
                                                                                          Regulations 2010. Both the SEA and AA                  ƒƒ Material Assets;
                                         level of protection of the environment
                                                                                          reports have been developed in parallel                ƒƒ Soil;
                                         and to contribute to the integration of
                                                                                          with CMATS and should be read and
                                         environmental considerations into the                                                                   ƒƒ Water;
                                                                                          considered in parallel with this Strategy.
                                         preparation and adoption of plans and                                                                   ƒƒ Cultural Heritage; and
                                                                                                                                                 ƒƒ Landscape.
                                         To achieve this vision the guiding principles upon which CMATS is based are:

                                           Principle                  Principle           Principle                  Principle                  Principle                  Principle

                                           01                         02                  03                         04                         05                         06
                                           To support the future      To prioritise       To provide a high level    To identify and protect    To enhance the public      To increase public
                                           growth of the CMA          sustainable and     of public transport        key strategic routes for   realm through traffic      transport capacity and
                                           through the provision      active travel and   connectivity to key        the movement of freight    management and             frequencies where
                                           of an efficient and safe   reduce car          destinations within high   and services including     transport interventions.   needed to achieve the
                                           transport network.         dependency          demand corridors.          the provision of a high                               strategy outcomes.
                                                                      within the CMA.                                level of freight access
                                                                                                                     to the Port of Cork.
CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY                                7

The SEA Report, which should be read and              ƒƒ Certain Strategy provisions would have              Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy Methodology
considered in parallel with the Strategy sets            the potential to result in significant
out the findings of the assessment under                 negative environmental effects upon the
                                                                                                                           Policy & guidance                          Baseline review
headings including the following:                        environment. The integration of detailed
                                                         mitigation into the Strategy has ensured
ƒƒ Relevant aspects of the current state of              that these effects are mitigated.
   the Environment;
ƒƒ Evaluation of Alternatives;                        The SEA identifies that implementation of                   Stakeholder engagement                              Agree key challenges
                                                      the Strategy will contribute towards efforts
ƒƒ Evaluation of Strategy Provisions;
                                                      to achieve a number of the 17 Sustainable
ƒƒ Mitigation Measures; and                           Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda
ƒƒ Monitoring Programme.                              for Sustainable Development, which were                     Evaluate against demand                             Develop transport options, alternatives,
                                                      adopted by world leaders in 2015 at a                                                                           networks & supporting proposals
                                                                                                                   Optimisation of land use
The overall findings of the SEA are that:             United Nations Summit and came into
ƒƒ All of the recommendations arising from            force in 2016.
   the SEA process have been incorporated
   into the Strategy;                                                                                             Stakeholder engagement                              Preferred transport strategy
                                                       Sustainable Development Goals including:
ƒƒ The Strategy facilitates a mode shift away
                                                       ƒƒ Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-
   from the private car to public transport,              being for all at all ages;
   walking and cycling and associated
                                                       ƒƒ Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and
   positive effects, including those relating to:         sustainable economic growth, full and productive       Public display/consultation                          Draft Strategy Report
                                                          employment and decent work for all;
  • Contributions towards reductions
    in greenhouse gas emissions and                    ƒƒ Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote
                                                          inclusive and sustainable industrialization and
    associated achievement of legally                     foster innovation;
    binding targets
                                                       ƒƒ Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements                                                                  Final Strategy Report
  • Contributions towards reductions                      inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable;
    in emissions to air and associated                 ƒƒ Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and
    achievement of air quality objectives,                production patterns;
    thereby contributing towards                       ƒƒ Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate      AA
    improvement or air quality and                        change and its impacts;
                                                                                                             The AA concludes that it is considered that the Strategy will not have a significant
    protection of human health;                        ƒƒ Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use
                                                                                                             adverse effect on the integrity of the Natura 2000 network of sites1.
                                                          the oceans, seas and marine resources for
  • Contributions towards reductions in                   sustainable development;
    consumption of non-renewable energy                ƒƒ Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote              The details of the approach to the AA and the findings are set out in the AA
    sources and achievement of legally                    sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,         Natura Impact Report that accompanies the Strategy. In a similar manner to the
    binding renewable energy targets;                     sustainably manage forests, combat                 Environmental Report of the SEA, this separate document should be read and
                                                          desertification, and halt and reverse land
  • Energy security;                                      degradation and halt biodiversity loss.            considered in parallel with the Strategy.
  • Enhancing the public realm;
ƒƒ Certain Strategy provisions would be
   likely to result in significant positive effects                                                          1
                                                                                                              Except as provided for in Article 6 (4) of the Habitats Directive, viz. There must be:
   upon environmental management and                                                                         a) No alternative solution available;
   protection; and                                                                                           b) Imperative reasons of overriding public interest for the plan / programme / strategy / project etc. to proceed; and
                                                                                                             c) Adequate compensatory measures in place.
CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY             9

02 POLICY CONTEXT
                                   This chapter sets out the prevailing           National Level                                ƒƒ Improved traffic flow around the City,
The World is changing and          national and regional policies which inform    National Planning Framework 2040                 which, subject to assessment, could
Ireland is changing too.           and interact with CMATS. These include
                                   those directly related to transport, climate
                                                                                  The NPF 2040 document was published              include upgrades of the N40, and/or
                                                                                                                                   alternatives which may include enhanced
The best way for our               change and land use planning.
                                                                                  in February 2018 and sets out Ireland’s
                                                                                  planning policy direction for the next           public transport; and
country to address the                                                            22 years. Cork is projected to grow           ƒƒ Improved rail journey times to Dublin and
changes that we will               Planning and Policy                            significantly with at least an additional        consideration of improved onward direct
                                   CMATS is a Regional Level plan and is          125,000 people by 2040 to support a              network connections.
continue to face, is to            directly informed by National Level (Tier-1)   minimum population of 315,000 within the
plan for that change.              policies. The most important and recent of     City and Suburbs alone. Some of the key
                                                                                                                                This Strategy has been developed in
                                                                                                                                line with the core principles set out in the
                                   these national planning policy documents       transport growth enablers relevant to the
National Planning Framework 2040                                                                                                NPF 2040.
                                   are the NPF 2040 and the NDP 2018-             development of the Strategy include:
                                   2027 both of which were published in           ƒƒ Delivery of large-scale regeneration
                                   February 2018.                                                                               National Development Plan
                                                                                     projects for the provision of new
                                                                                                                                2018-2027
                                                                                     employment, housing and supporting
                                   The NPF 2040 sets out Ireland’s planning          infrastructure in Cork Docklands (City     The National Development Plan (NDP) sets
                                   policy direction for the next 22 years            Docks and Tivoli);                         out a ten year investment plan to underpin
                                   and the NDP sets out the investment                                                          the NPF’s ten National Strategic Outcomes
                                                                                  ƒƒ Progressing sustainable development
                                   priorities that will underpin the successful                                                 (NSOs). The key NSOs that have informed
                                                                                     of new greenfield areas for housing on
                                   implementation of NPF 2040 in the short                                                      the development of CMATS are summarised
                                                                                     public transport corridors;
                                   to medium term, up to 2027.                                                                  as follows:
                                                                                  ƒƒ Intensifying development in inner-city
                                                                                                                                ƒƒ NSO 1 - Compact Growth
                                   Other important national level policies           and inner suburban areas;
                                                                                                                                  • Urban Regeneration and Development
                                   which have informed CMATS include:             ƒƒ Development of an new Cork Science
                                                                                                                                    Fund - the Cork Docklands is included
                                   ƒƒ Planning Land Use and Transport -              and Innovation Park to the west of the
                                                                                                                                    as an example project with potential to
                                      Outlook 2040 (PLUTO)                           city accessible by public transport;
                                                                                                                                    receive support; and
                                   ƒƒ Smarter Travel;                             ƒƒ Development of enhanced city-wide
                                                                                                                                  • Establishment of a National Regeneration
                                                                                     public transport system to incorporate
                                   ƒƒ Design Manual for Urban Roads and                                                             and Development Agency.
                                                                                     proposals for an east-west corridor
                                      Streets; and                                                                              ƒƒ NSO 2 – Enhanced Regional
                                                                                     from Mahon, through the City Centre to
                                   ƒƒ Climate Action Plan.                           Ballincollig and a north-south corridor       Accessibility Road Network
                                                                                     with a link to the Airport;                  • Establish the Atlantic Corridor road
                                   A detailed review of planning and
                                                                                  ƒƒ M8/N25/N40 Dunkettle Junction upgrade          network linking Cork, Limerick, Galway
                                   policy documents relevant to CMATS
                                                                                     and improved Ringaskiddy Port access;          and Sligo;
                                   is contained within the supporting
                                   CMATS Baseline Conditions Report.              ƒƒ Enhanced regional connectivity through       • Improving average journey times
                                   A synopsis of some of the key documents           improved average journey times by road;        targeting an average inter-urban speed
                                   follows overleaf.                                                                                of 90kph;
10   CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY

                                            • M20 Cork to Limerick motorway                  ƒƒ NSO 7 - Enhanced Amenity and               National Mitigation Plan
                                              including consideration of a                      Heritage                                   The first National Mitigation Plan represents
                                              complementary scheme - the Cork                  • Education, health and cultural            an initial step to set Ireland on a pathway
                                              North Ring Road - linking the N20 to               infrastructure;                           to achieve the level of decarbonisation
                                              Dunkettle; and                                                                               required to reduce greenhouse gas
                                                                                               • Capital investment at UCC including
                                            • M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Road.                                                                emissions in line with our international
                                                                                                 new Business school, Innovation Park,
                                                                                                                                           commitments under the Paris Agreement
                                          ƒƒ NSO 3 - Public Transport                            new dental hospital, expansion of the
                                                                                                                                           as well as to meet our more immediate EU
                                            • A feasibility study of high speed rail             Tyndall National Institute and student
                                                                                                                                           obligations.
                                              between Dublin Belfast, Dublin Limerick            accommodation;
                                              Junction/Cork by 2019; and                       • Investment in the Crawford Art Gallery;   Decarbonising Transport is a key tenet of
                                            • Complete construction of the National              and                                       the Plan. The Plan sets out the various
                                              Train Control Centre.                            • Cork Event Centre.                        measures already in place to contain the
                                                                                                                                           level of emissions associated with the
                                          ƒƒ NSO 4 - Sustainable Mobility                    ƒƒ NSO 8 - Transition to a Low-Carbon         transport sector and identifies a range of
                                                                                                and Climate-Resilient Society              potential additional measures that can
                                            • A commitment to implement
                                                                                                                                           help to intensify mitigation efforts within
                                              BusConnects for Cork;                            • Expansion of electric vehicle charging
                                                                                                                                           the sector. Some key measures related to
                                            • Delivery of comprehensive walking and              points;
                                                                                                                                           CMATS include:
                                              cycling network; and                             • Transition to low emission, including
                                                                                                                                           ƒƒ T1 Public Transport Investment;
                                            • Smarter Travel projects.                           electric buses, for the urban public
                                                                                                 bus fleet with no diesel-only buses       ƒƒ T2 Smarter Travel Initiative;
                                                                                                 purchased from 1 July 2019;               ƒƒ T8 Review of Public Transport;
                                          ƒƒ NSO 5 - A Strong Economy, supported
                                             by Enterprise, Innovation and Skills              • BusConnects for Cork; and                 ƒƒ T9 Review of Active Travel Policy;
                                            • Upgrading of the Tyndall National                • Sustainable travel measures, including    ƒƒ T10 National Intelligent Transport
                                              Institute in Cork;                                 comprehensive Cycling and Walking            Systems (ITS) Strategy;
                                                                                                 Networks for metropolitan areas           ƒƒ T16 Further Public Transport Investment;
                                            • University College Cork; New business
                                                                                                 of Ireland’s cities, and expanded
                                              school, student accommodation,                                                               ƒƒ T17 Supports and Incentives to Modal
                                                                                                 Greenways.
                                              Innovation Park and new dental                                                                  Shift;
                                              hospital; and                                                                                ƒƒ T23 National Policy on Parking.
                                                                                             ƒƒ NSO 10 - Access to Quality Childcare,
                                            • Major Infrastructure project at CIT               Education and Health Services
                                              delivered through PPP.                                                                       The latter measure suggests reducing parking
                                                                                               • A new acute hospital in Cork; and
                                                                                                                                           limits in urban centres to free up space for
                                                                                               • A new dedicated ambulatory e              pedestrians, cyclists and public transportation
                                          ƒƒ NSO 6 - High-Quality International
                                                                                                 lective-only hospital in Cork to tackle   and should be considered in tandem with
                                             Connectivity
                                                                                                 waiting lists and provide access to       policies on ‘out-of-town’ parking.
                                            • Continued investment in Cork                       diagnostic services.
                                              Airport; and
                                            • The consolidation of Port of Cork facilities
                                              at Ringaskiddy and redevelopment of
                                              existing port facilities at Ringaskiddy to
                                              accommodate larger sea-going vessels
                                              and increase capacity.
CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY               11

                                    Climate Action Plan                           The document recognises the critical role      Design Manual for Urban Roads and
      The Cork City network,        The Government published the Climate          that a world class road network plays in the   Streets 2013
      operated by Bus Éireann,      Action Plan in June 2019 in response to       State’s social, economic and environmental     The Design Manual for Urban Roads and
                                    the need for Ireland to achieve its 2030      development but also warns against             Streets (DMURS) sets out the manner
      offers reasonably extensive   targets for carbon emissions and create       repeating the land use planning mistakes       in which roads and streets in urban and
      coverage of the City. The     a pathway towards achieving a net zero        of the past. The key quotes and principles     suburban areas should be designed to
      majority of city bus          emissions by 2050. The accelerating           relevant to the development of the road        prioritise the needs of pedestrians, cyclists
                                    impact of greenhouse gases emissions on       network in CMATS are reprised below.           and public transport users and reduces the
      services operate cross
                                    climate disruption must be arrested.          		                                             dominance of the private car. The plans
      city and radially from the                                                  “National roads play a key role within         and proposals outlined in CMATS are
      City Centre with some         Some of the key objectives relevant to        Ireland’s overall transport system and         consistent with the goals and overarching
      orbital routes catering for   CMATS include:                                in the country’s economic, social and          objectives of DMURS.
                                                                                  physical development.
      inter-suburban trips.         ƒƒ Successful execution of the NPF
                                                                                                                                 Key principles applied in the context of
                                       designed to promote compact,
                                       connected and sustainabale living;         The primary purpose of the national            CMATS include the following:
                                                                                  road network is to provide strategic           ƒƒ More emphasis on the place function of
                                    ƒƒ Make growth less transport intensive       transport links between the main centres
                                       by closer alignment between land                                                             streets and roads in Cork City, suburban
                                                                                  of population and employment, including           areas and Metropolitan Town Centres;
                                       use and transport planning, flexible       key international gateways such as the
                                       working habits and modal shift to public                                                  ƒƒ Greater consideration of the pedestrian
                                                                                  main ports and airports, and to provide
                                       transport;                                                                                   environment including footway widths
                                                                                  access between all regions”.
                                    ƒƒ Expansion of walking, cycling and public                                                     and crossing facilities;
                                                                                  However, in recent years, increasing
                                       transport to promote modal shift;          population and car ownership rates, 		         ƒƒ Emphasis on filtered permeability and
                                    ƒƒ Accelerating steps to decarbonise the      changes in lifestyle and employment, and          connections for pedestrians and cyclists,
                                       public transport fleet;                    improvements in the quality of the road           especially to places of employment,
                                                                                  network have also contributed to the              education and public transport stops; and
                                    ƒƒ Giving Local Authorities more discretion
                                       in designating low emission zones; and     unsustainable outward expansion of urban       ƒƒ Distributor road layouts and
                                                                                  areas, and retail and employment centres.         requirements.
                                    ƒƒ Developing a strategy for the heavy
                                       freight sector.                            These dispersed, car dependent forms           Smarter Travel – A Sustainable Future
                                                                                  of development are uneconomic, lead            Smarter Travel sets clear targets which
                                    Spatial Planning and National                 to increases in trip distance and make it      have informed the preparation of CMATS.
                                    Roads (2012)                                  difficult to develop attractive public 		      The Government sets its vision for
                                    The Spatial Planning and National Roads       transport, cycling and walking networks        sustainability in transport and sets out
                                    guidelines sets out planning policy           while also having serious implications         five key goals: (i) to reduce overall travel
                                    considerations relating to development        for the viability and sustainability of town   demand, (ii) to maximise the efficiency
                                    affecting National Primary and National       and city centres. Government policy no         of the transport network, (iii) to reduce
                                    Secondary Roads, including motorways          longer proposes to cater for the type of       reliance on fossil fuels, (iv) to reduce
                                    and associated junctions.                     unlimited road traffic growth driven by        transport emissions and (v) to improve
                                                                                  the scenario outlined above.                   accessibility to transport. In particular,
LRT
                                                                                                                                 it sets a goal that walking, cycling and
                                                                                                                                 public transport will make up 55% of total
                                                                                                                                 commuter journeys to work in the State.
12   CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY

                                          In order to facilitate this shift, and to cater   ƒƒ A significant uptake in the quantity and         The three new Assemblies incorporate
                                          for additional trips by walking, cycling and         quality of cycle parking provision in relation   the functions of both the former regional
                                          public transport, the Strategy proposes a            to the location, quantity, design and            authorities and assemblies, with significant
                                          comprehensive public transport network               management of bicycle storage areas;             enhancement of some powers, particularly
                                          and service structure, as well increasing         ƒƒ A reduced overall parking standard and           in relation to spatial planning and economic
                                          the role of cycling and walking as feasible          application of a maximum car parking             development. The Assemblies are charged
                                          alternatives for many trips.                         standard for housing schemes with more           with preparing new RSESs for their regions.
                                                                                               than 45 dwellings per hectare net in
                                          Sustainable Urban Housing: Design                    suburban/urban locations served by public        The RSES is a link between the NPF, the
                                          Standards for New Apartments 		                      transport or close to town centres or            City and County Development Plans and
                                          Guidelines for Planning Authorities                  employment areas; and                            the Local Economic and Community Plans.
                                          This document represents an update on                                                                 Through this process the Assemblies
                                                                                            ƒƒ A requirement that cycling is fully
                                          the earlier design standards guidelines                                                               are centrally involved in the formulation
                                                                                               integrated into the design and operation
                                          issued in 2015. The updated standards                                                                 of policies geared towards achieving a
                                                                                               of all new apartment schemes.                    greater dispersal of economic growth and
                                          contain a number of transport-related
                                          issues relevant to the development of                                                                 development throughout the region.
                                          CMATS including the following:                    Regional Level Guidance
                                          ƒƒ A default policy for car parking provision     At a regional level, the NPF 2040                   The NPF stipulates that as part of the RSES
                                             to be minimised, substantially reduced         recommends the development of RSESs                 process, Metropolitan Area Spatial Plans
                                             or wholly eliminated in highly accessible      and MASPs. The RSESs are to ensure                  (MASPS) will be prepared for the five cities
                                             areas such as in or adjoining city cores       better co-ordination in planning and                of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and
                                             or at a confluence of public transport         development policy matters across local             Waterford and their metropolitan areas.
                                             systems such as rail and bus stations          authority boundaries. As part of the RSES           In line with the RSESs, the MASPs will
                                             located in close proximity. Typically, these   process, MASPs are required to provide              be provided with statutory underpinning
                                             locations are within 15 minutes walking of     more specific focus on city and metropolitan        to act as 12-year strategic planning
                                             city centres or within 10 minutes walking      issues. Further detail on the RSES and              and investment frameworks for the city
                                             distance of commuter rail or bus stops or      MASP process is provided below.                     metropolitan areas, addressing high-level
                                             within 5 minutes walking distance of high                                                          and long-term strategic development
                                             frequency bus services;                        Regional Spatial & Economic                         issues. The proposals outlined in CMATS
                                                                                            Strategies (RSES)                                   informed the draft Cork MASP.
                                                                                            The Cork Metropolitan Area (CMA) lies
                                                                                            within the Southern Regional Assembly. The          CMATS in combination with the RSES and
                                                                                            Southern Regional Assembly established on           CMASP provides the building blocks for
                                                                                            1st January 2015, is one of three Assemblies        regional planning in the Cork area, which
                                                                                            in Ireland along with the Northern and              is also informed by the national policy
                                                                                            Western, and the Eastern and Midland                objectives contained within the NPF 2040
                                                                                            Regional Assemblies.                                and the NDP.

                                                                                                                                                The draft RSES and Cork MASP was
                                                                                                                                                available for public consultation from
                                                                                                                                                December 2018 to March 2019. The
                                                                                                                                                finalised Strategy will be available in
                                                                                                                                                early 2020.
CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY                     13

Local Level Guidance                           The Development Plan sets out a vision             The objective of the Plan is to make
The third tier in the planning and policy      for Cork City as a successful, sustainable         Cork a more competitive and sustainable
hierarchy is local planning, which             regional capital with a high quality of life for   county through the delivery of an efficient
involves the planning framework for the        its citizens and a robust local economy with       transport system whilst encouraging
implementation of national and regional        a network of attractive neighbourhoods             balanced investment and more energy
guidance at the local level. These local       served by good quality transport and               efficient sustainable modes of public
level policies include the Cork City and       amenities.                                         and private transport. The County
Cork County Development Plans, the Cork        This vison for Cork City will be achieved          Development Plan provides for an
Noise Action Plan, the Cork Cycle Network      through the realisation of the following           enhanced public transport network linking
Plan and the Cork City Centre Movement         strategic goals:                                   the large Metropolitan towns.
Strategy. The current development plans        ƒƒ Increase population and households to
are summarised below. CMATS will                  create a compact sustainable city;              The Core Strategy outlies strategic priorities
inform the future update of Cork City and                                                         for the Cork Metropolitan area to ensure it
                                               ƒƒ Achieve a higher quality of life, promote       can fulfil its strategic function as a driver for
County development plans. The current             social inclusion and make the city an
development plans are summarised below.                                                           growth in the South West Region.
                                                  attractive and healthy place to live, work,
                                                  visit and invest in;                            These priorities include the following:
Cork City Development Plan
                                               ƒƒ Support the revitalisation of the city’s        ƒƒ Promote Metropolitan Cork development
2015-2021
                                                  economy;                                           as an integrated planning unit to function
Cork City Development Plan sets out the
development framework for the city of          ƒƒ Promote sustainable modes of transport             as a single market area for homes and
Cork to 2021. The focus of the plan is to         and integration of land use and                    jobs where there is equality of access
grow the city’s residential and employment        transportation;                                    for all, through an integrated transport
population. The Core Strategy sets out         ƒƒ Maintain and capitalise on Cork’s unique           system, to the educational and cultural
a population target of 150,000 and an             form and character;                                facilities worthy of a modern and vibrant
employment target of 85,577 jobs by 2022.                                                            European City;
                                               ƒƒ Tackle climate change through reducing
This would represent an increase of 25.8%         energy usage, reducing emissions, adapt         ƒƒ Assist in the redevelopment of the Cork
and 22.3% respectively on the Census              to climate change and mitigate against             City Docklands by providing for the
2011 figures.                                     flood risk; and                                    relocation and development of industrial
                                                                                                     uses and major port facilities, primarily
                                               ƒƒ Protect and expand the green                       at Ringaskiddy;
The Plan focuses on improving the quality
                                                  infrastructure of the city.
of life of its inhabitants and is cognisant                                                       ƒƒ Recognise the long-term importance
of climate change and the environmental                                                              of Cork International Airport and to
                                               Cork County Development Plan
impacts of development. The Development                                                              maintain and enhance the infrastructure
                                               2014-2020
Plan also seeks to promote more                                                                      and other resources likely to be required
                                               This Development Plan sets out an overall
sustainable modes of travel within the city,                                                         for its future development;
                                               strategy for the appropriate planning and
noting the importance of aligning land use                                                        ƒƒ Provide an enhanced public transport
                                               sustainable development of Cork County
and transportation.                                                                                  network linking the City, its environs,
                                               over a 6-year period.
                                                                                                     the Metropolitan towns and the major
                                                                                                     centres of employment;
                                                                                                  ƒƒ Maintain the principles of the
                                                                                                     Metropolitan Cork Greenbelt;
14   CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY

                                          ƒƒ Develop the Cork City Environs so that          ƒƒ Development to provide the homes and        Summary
                                             they complement the City. In the South             jobs that are necessary to serve the        It is evident from the review, that policies
                                             Environs, priority should be given to              planned population will be prioritised in   have been in place for many years across
                                             consolidating the rapid growth that has            the following locations within the CMA:     many sectors, which aim to increase
                                             occurred in recent years by the provision          Carrigaline (Shannon Park), Midleton        accessibility, promote active travel modes,
                                             of services, social infrastructure and             (Water Rock), Carrigtwohill (North
                                                                                                                                            and seek to reduce car use by a variety
                                             recreation facilities to meet the needs of         of the Railway), Ballincollig (Maglin),
                                                                                                                                            of means.
                                             the population.                                    North Environs (Ballyvolane), Glanmire
                                             The North Environs will play a major role          (Dunkettle), Blarney (Stoneview),
                                                                                                                                            Plans are in place to better integrate land
                                             in the rebalancing of the City in terms            Monard and Cobh.
                                                                                                                                            use and transport planning on a national
                                             of future population and employment
                                                                                                                                            and regional basis. These policies have
                                             growth; and                                     The Core Strategies of both Local
                                                                                                                                            informed and guided the development
                                                                                             Authorities are expected to be modified in
                                                                                                                                            of CMATS.
                                                                                             the relevant areas by 2021.

                                               TIER 1                                     National Planning              National Development Plan        Planning Land Use
                                               NATIONAL                                   Framework                      (NDP) 2018-2027                  and Transport -
                                               LEVEL                                      2040                                                            Outlook 2040

                                               TIER 2
                                                                                          Southern Assembly Regional Spatial & Economic                  Cork Metropolitan
                                                                                          Strategy (RSES)
                                               REGIONAL                                                                                                  Area Transport
                                               PLANNING                                   Metropolitan Area Strategic Plans (MASP)                       Strategy (CMATS)
                                                                                          Cork City and                  Local Transport                  Local
                                               TIER 3                                     Cork County                    Implementation                   Economic and
                                               LOCAL                                      Development Plans              Plans                            Community Plans
                                               PLANNING                                   Local Area Plans

                                                                                                                         IMPLEMENTATION
CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | DRAFT TRANSPORT STRATEGY   15
CMATS Study Area and Transport Network

                        N20
                                                WHITECHURCH

                                                                                                       M8

                                                                                                          KNOCKRAHA                            LEAMLARA

                                                                           WHITES CROSS
                                                                                          SALLYBROOK

                              BLARNEY
                                                                                             BROOKLODGE

                TOWER
                                                                                           GLANMIRE

                                                                                                                     GLOUNTHAUNE                            N25        MIDLETON
                                                                                                                                          CARRIGTWOHILL
                                                                                                 N8
                                                               CORK
                                                               CITY
                                                                                                          LITTLE ISLAND
                                                 N22                                                                                                                         BALLYNACORRA
                                                                                                 N40

                 BALLINCOLLIG

         N22

                                        N40                                               ROCHESTOWN
                                                                                                              PASSAGE WEST

                                                                    FRANKFIELD
                                                                                                                                               BALLYMORE

                                                                                                                                   COBH
                                                                   N27                                           MONKSTOWN

                                                         CORK
                                                         AIRPORT

                                                                                                                          RINGASKIDDY
                                                                   BALLYGARVAN
                                                                                                                                                           WHITEGATE

                                                                                            CARRIGALINE
                                          N71
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