Dodder Road Lower Rapid Deployment Active Travel Measures

Closed8 Aug, 2024, 16:00 - 5 Sep, 2024, 23:59

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Overview

South Dublin County Council, in conjunction with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the National Transport Authority, is proposing sustainable transport improvements along Dodder Road Lower as part of the Dodder Greenway.  

The Active Travel Section proposes a Non-Statutory Public Consultation for the above Scheme and welcomes all submissions and observations on the scheme as proposed. The scheme is being prepared in accordance with Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994.  

The scheme has been designed in accordance with national guidance including the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) and the Cycle Design Manual. The scheme is funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA). 

Proposed Development
The scheme proposes to: 

  • Introduce a two-way cycle facility on Dodder Road Lower. This is facilitated by making Dodder Road Lower one way. The introduction of the one-way system crosses the administrative boundary of South Dublin County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.  
     

Plans and Policy Objectives: 
The proposed scheme aligns with a number of existing plans and policies:  

Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy (2022 - 2042) 

  • Measure PLAN15 – Urban Design in Walking and Cycling Projects  
    In the design, planning and prioritisation of walking and cycling schemes, the NTA and the local authorities will ensure the incorporation of urban design and placemaking considerations, taking into account architectural heritage and considering how greater biodiversity could be fostered. 
     
  • Measure PLAN16 – Reallocation of Road Space  
    The NTA, in conjunction with the local authorities, will seek the reallocation of road space in Dublin City Centre, Metropolitan towns and villages, and towns and villages across the GDA to prioritise walking, cycling and public transport use and prioritise the placemaking functions of the urban street network. 

Cycling Infrastructure
Expansion of the Urban Cycle Network supported by secondary routes (in line with the Cycle Network Plan) to provide a quality of service sufficient to attract new cyclists, as well as catering for the increasing numbers of existing cyclists.   

Land Use Integration
Planning at the local level should promote walking, cycling and public transport by maximizing the number of people living within walking and cycling distance of their neighbourhood or district centres, public transport services, and other services at the local level such as schools.   

SDCC Cycle South Dublin Network  
The Dodder Greenway is listed as Route 8 in the SDCC Cycle South Dublin Network.    

National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland (2040) 
The route aligns with the National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland (NIFTI). In an effort to cater for rising travel demand as well as decarbonising the transport sector, there will be a significant investment in sustainable mobility including cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. 

National Cycle Policy Framework 2023 

  • Objective 2: Ensure that the urban road infrastructure (with the exception of motorways) is designed/retrofitted so as to be cyclist-friendly and that traffic management measures are also cyclist-friendly.  
     
  • Objective 8: Ensure proper integration between cycling and public transport.   

 

SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028

Policy Sustainable Movement

  • SM1 Objective 1:

To achieve and monitor a transition to more sustainable travel modes including walking, cycling and public transport over the lifetime of the County Development Plan, in line with the County mode share targets of 15% Walk; 10% Cycle; 20% Bus; 5% Rail; and 50% Private (Car/Van/HGV/Motorcycle).

 

  • SM2 Objective 2:

To create a comprehensive and legible County-wide network of safe cycling and walking routes that link communities to key destinations, amenities and leisure activities through  implementation of the Cycle South Dublin project, the recommendations of the Sustainable Movement Studies and other permeability measures.

 

  • SM2 Objective 3:

To ensure that connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists is maximised and walking and cycling distances are reduced by promoting compact growth and permeability in the design and layout of new development areas.

 

  • SM2 Objective 4:

To ensure that connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists is maximised and walking and cycling distances are reduced in existing built-up areas, by removing barriers to movement and providing active travel facilities in order to increase access to local shops, schools, public transport services and other amenities, while also taking account of existing patterns of anti-social behaviour and other unintended consequences of removal of such barriers.

 

  • SM2 Objective 10:

To further develop a footpath and cycle path repair and assessment system where members of the public can report maintenance issues and instigate repairs, and to implement a public lighting renewal, improvement and maintenance strategy in urban areas that provides adequate public lighting and puts the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, women and minority groups at the heart of this strategy, and to ensure that cycle paths are consistently and properly maintained to a high standard to ensure that cyclists use them.

 

  • SM2 Objective 14:

To ensure that all walking and cycling routes have regard to environmental conditions and sensitivities including biodiversity, protected species and designated sites and to incorporate appropriate avoidance and mitigation measures as part of any environmental assessments.



SDCC Climate Action Plan 2024-2029:   

  • T4 – Deliver a safe active travel network for people of all ages and abilities through the implementation of the Cycle South Dublin programme, including on-road, off-road, and greenway routes.  
     
  • T5 – Continue to promote active travel, for a wide range of ages, abilities and journey types, utilising SDCC's active travel website, social media and events such as an active travel promotional ePlatform. 
     
  • T9 – Continue the development of pedestrian improvements, aligning with any Pedestrian Enhancement Plans developed for the Dublin Metropolitan area.
     
  • T10 – Identify roads and streets suitable for road space reallocation and progress appropriate schemes. 
     
  • T14 – Ensure active travel schemes and initiatives make walking and cycling more accessible for all users, including those with reduced mobility, disabilities and the elderly, to further opportunities for increasing a sustainable modal shift.

Supporting Information:
Supporting documents and drawings are set out under the “Materials” heading in the side column.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening:
The proposed scheme has been screened for Environmental Impact Assessment and the Council determines that there is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development, either by itself or in combination with other plans or projects, and that an EIA is not required.  

Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening: 
The proposed scheme has been screened for Appropriate Assessment. The Council determines that the proposed scheme, individually or in combination with other plans or projects, without relying on any mitigation measures, will not have a significant effect on any designated European Sites, in view of their conservation objectives, and that there is no reasonable scientific doubt about this conclusion. Consequently, a Stage Two AA and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) are not required.  

Exemptions from Part 8 Procedure:
It is considered that Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 and Section 95 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 as amended by Section 37 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, is the correct legislative process under which the proposed works will be carried out. This is set out in the Decision Record of Determination of Appropriate Procedure for the Orwell Road to Dodder Road Lower Rapid Deployment Scheme.

Why your views matter

The public consultation period is open from 8th August 2024 to 5th Sep 2024, and submissions or observations are invited. You are encouraged to use the SDCC online Consultation portal however  submissions or observations may also be made in writing to: 

Active Travel Section, Land Use Planning & Transportation, South Dublin County Council,

County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24, D24 YNN5

Or by e-mail: activetravel@SDUBLINCOCO.ie

All postal and email submissions should be marked "Dodder Road Lower Rapid Deployment Scheme" and must be received by SDCC by Thursday, 5th September 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted. Only one submission per person.  

Hard copies of the documents are available to view during office hours in SDCC head office; County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24, D24 YNN5.

Data Protection Notice:
Any personal data supplied as part of this Public Consultation process shall be processed in accordance with the principles laid out in the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Personal data is any information that can identify a living individual. These laws exist to ensure that your data is managed safely and used responsibly. Any information which you submit will be kept securely and will not be disclosed or shared with other parties (unless required by law or stated in our privacy policy).  

The information gathered will only be used for this purpose and will not be used for any other purposes. 

Themes

Cycle Schemes
5b. Our Climate Actions - Transport
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