Posted November 18, 2021 by raymcadam Arbour Hill

Consultation launched on new Dublin Transport Strategy

Last week, the National Transport Authority launched the second round of public consultation on the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) Draft Transport Strategy 2022-2042.

The draft strategy for Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042 is proposed to replace the existing Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 which was approved by the then Minister of Transport in 2016. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act, the National Transport Authority (NTA) must review the Transport Strategy every 6 years. This review assesses the implementation of the current plan and looks to produce an updated strategy which will set out the framework for investment in transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area, taking us to 2042.

To ensure that the strategy engaged with the public from the outset, the NTA prepared a Pre-Draft Issues Paper in November 2020. This Issues paper highlighted some of the main considerations and opportunities for the new Transport Strategy and sought public input into its development at the inception stage. Subsequently, a full public consultation then took place from 23rd November 2020 to 22nd January 2021. The public were asked to assist in the development of the strategy goals and objectives and help identify transport requirements and opportunities. Up to 4,000 submissions were received by the NTA. All of these submissions were carefully considered and considered for the development of Greater Dublin Area (GDA) Draft Transport Strategy 2022-2042 which has now been published today for review and feedback.

Current Transport Strategy

The current Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 was adopted in 2016, setting the framework for the development of transport for the next two decades.

Under that strategy, major transport changes have been advanced, including:

Luas Cross City has been completed
Phoenix Park Tunnel rail link was re-opened to passenger services
BusConnects Dublin has commenced with the first phase of the new network now operational, the next phase to be introduced later this month and Core Bus Corridors ready to be submitted for planning consent in the coming months
A preferred route has been identified for MetroLink and it is ready to be summited for planning consent next year
Major increases have been delivered in cycling infrastructure and a programme for its continued roll-out is now in place
A large investment in bus fleet focused on low emission vehicles and now transitioning to fully zero emission fleet

The Draft Transport Strategy seeks to address all aspects of land-based transport within the Greater Dublin Area and sets out a variety of actions covering:

Planning for Sustainable Transport
Integration and Inclusion
Walking, Accessibility and Public Realm
Cycling and Personal Mobility Vehicles
Public Transport – Bus, Luas, Metro and Heavy Rail
Roads
Traffic Management and Travel Options
Freight, Delivery and Servicing
Climate Action Management

Planning for Sustainable Transport

The management of transport demand where it is created is a critical element of transport planning in the GDA. The pattern of where people live, work, attend school or college, and socialise is therefore the key determinant in the type of transport system that is required. The Draft Transport Strategy includes measures that are considered to be essential in meeting the high-level objectives of fostering sustainable development and fully integrating land use planning and transport planning, including the following:

Consolidation of development
Transit-oriented development
Mixed use development
Filtered Permeability
School Planning and Design

Integration and Inclusion

The Transport Strategy includes a range of measures that have been developed in support of the overarching objective of an integrated transport system, including 20 measures covering the following areas:

Integration of all Modes in Transport Schemes
International Gateways
Park & Ride provision
Major Interchanges and Mobility Hubs
General Interchange
Revised Fare Structure
Next Generation Ticketing
Mobility as a Service
Smarter Travel Workplaces and Campuses
Green Schools Travel
Residential Travel Planning
Late Night Transport
Small Public Service Vehicles
Walking and Cycling at Night
Accessible Infrastructure
Travel Information
Travel Assistance Scheme
Equality and Inclusivity
Equality Assessment
Enforcement of Road Traffic Laws

Walking, Accessibility and Public Realm

Eight measures are set out including the following actions:

Ensuring that all urban areas will be served by high quality pedestrian facilities through the implementation of footpath improvement schemes, the development of suitable maintenance programmes and the delivery of new footpaths where required
A programme of junction revisions including the removal of slip lanes, tighter turning radii to slow vehicles, provision of additional pedestrian crossing points, and changes to traffic signals
Support for wayfinding systems and their integration into journey planning apps
Provision of traffic free streets in town centres where there are benefits to transport and/or the local environment / economy
Ensuring that the needs of all pedestrians, including persons with disabilities, wheelchair users and people with buggies, are met

Cycling and Personal Mobility

The Covid pandemic has induced a major growth in the numbers of people cycling both here and internationally. The Draft Strategy seeks to build upon that resurgence and provide safe, quality infrastructure and facilities that enables more people to adopt cycling as a travel mode for short journeys. Network Planning, Infrastructure Design, Cycle Parking and Bike Share Schemes are all key elements of a comprehensive, inclusive, cycle-friendly environment and 11 proposed measures are set out:

GDA Cycle Network Plan
Cycle Infrastructure Design
Cycle Parking
Cycle Parking Strategies
Bike Share Scheme Expansion
Bike Share Scheme Electrification
Interoperability between Bike Schemes
Bikes on Public Transport
E-Bikes
Electric Scooters
Other Emerging Personal Mobility Modes

Public Transport – Bus

The Dublin Area Bus Network carries the highest proportion of public transport trips in the GDA and will continue to do so for the lifetime of the Transport Strategy. To support this key mode, the strategy proposes a wide range of measures, including:

BusConnects Core Bus Corridor Programme
Additional Radial Core Bus Corridors
Orbital Core Bus Corridors
New Dublin Area Bus Service Network
Bus Service Network Monitoring and Review
Higher Capacity Bus Fleet
Zero Emissions Bus Fleet
Regional and Intercity Coach Fleet
Bus Livery
New Bus Stops and Shelters
Regional Core Bus Corridors
Bus Priority in Towns and Villages
Connecting Ireland
Regional and Rural Bus Services
Local Link and Demand Responsive Transport

Public Transport – Light Rail

The Draft Transport Strategy includes for the delivery of MetroLink (planning consent to be sought in 2022) and four Luas extensions /new lines:

Extension to Finglas
Extension to Bray
Extension to Poolbeg
A light rail line from Lucan to the City Centre, supplementing and complementing the planned bus system

In addition, the Draft Transport Strategy proposes the planning and design of a further 8 Luas extensions/ new Luas lines to be ready for construction post 2042:

Luas to Clongriffin
Luas to Balgriffin
Luas extension to Tyrrelstown
Luas to Blanchardstown
Luas extension to Clondalkin
Luas to Tallaght / Kimmage
Luas to Tallaght / Knocklyon
Luas to UCD / Sandyford (reduces future passenger congestion on the Green Line in the future)

DART+ and Rail

The spine of the Dublin transport system has historically been provided by the heavy rail network, in particular by the east coast suburban line since its electrification in 1984. Building on that legacy the Draft Transport Strategy provides for:

Delivery of the DART+ Programme – DART to Drogheda, Maynooth & Celbridge, plus enhanced service to Greystones
Further extensions of DART to Kilcock, Naas/Sallins and Wicklow
Provision of a new rail line from the M3 Parkway to Navan
New stations at Cabra, Glasnevin, Heuston West, Kylemore, Woodbrook, west of Sallins, west of Louisa Bridge and west of Maynooth plus opening of Kishoge station
Completion of the National Train Control Centre
DART+ Tunnel – preserve and protect an alignment to allow its future delivery subsequent to the strategy period
Additional security measures plus railway station upgrades

Climate Action Management

The Climate Action Plan and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 requires a total reduction of 51% in CO2 emissions over the period to 2030, relative to a baseline of 2018. The NTA will seek to increase the proportion of travel by sustainable modes and reduce the level of usage of petrol/diesel powered vehicles. Additional demand management measures will need to be put in place to complement the additional transport provision set out in the Strategy in order to achieve the overall 51% reduction goal. The NTA will undertake a detailed assessment to establish the optimal framework of demand management measures, which is likely to include parking restraint, zonal charging, additional tolling / road pricing and/or further vehicle electrification. Implementation of the full measures set out in this strategy aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the GDA to below 1 Mt CO2 eq by 2042 (from a 2018 level of 3.2 Mt CO2 eq).

Public Consultation

The consultation period for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) Draft Transport Strategy 2022-2042 opened on Tuesday 9th November and re-open until Friday 17th December 2021, allowing for submissions to be made by the public. This consultation will take place online, allowing the public to provide their views on the proposals.

Online Information meetings are being organised by the National Transport Authority and will begin later this evening. These public online information events are taking place via Zoom on the following dates and times. Registration must be completed in advance of these online information events by clicking on the relevant link below and providing the requested details. After registering, an automatic confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar will be sent to the attendee by the NTA.