8.4 Transport Investment Priorities

8.4 Transport Investment Priorities

Major transport infrastructure investments, identified in the Project Ireland 2040 - National Development Plan, have an important role in enabling the sustainable and balanced development of the Region over the period of the RSES.

Table 8.2: Rail Projects for the Region

DART Expansion Programme - new infrastructure and electrification of existing lines, including provision of electrified services to Drogheda or further north on the Northern Line, Celbridge-Hazelhatch or further south on the Kildare Line, Maynooth and M3 Parkway on the Maynooth/ Sligo Line, while continuing to improve DART services on the South-Eastern Line as far south as Greystones

Proposals for infrastructure investment should clearly demonstrate their consistency with spatial planning objectives, at regional and national level. Such proposals will be subject to environmental assessment and feasibility where assessment has not already taken place.

Provide for an appropriate level of commuter rail service in the Midlands and South-East

Complete the construction of the National Train Control Centre.

New stations to provide interchange with bus, LUAS and Metro network including Kishoge, Heuston West, Cabra, Glasnevin, Pelletstown and Woodbrook.

The management, maintenance and improvement of existing transport infrastructure is also a key consideration, to ensure that the safety, capacity and the efficiency of the networks are maintained and factored into the capital funding process.

A feasibility study of high-speed rail between Dublin Belfast, Dublin Limerick Junction/Cork will be carried out.

Rail

Reappraisal of the extension of the Dunboyne/ M3 Parkway line to Navan during the Mid Term Review of the GDA Transport Strategy.

The primary function of the rail network in the Region is to provide commuter rail services to Dublin City, and major employment locations within the Metropolitan Area and in large towns. Intercity rail services also play a key role in offering sustainable travel alternatives for longer distance trips, providing improved interregional connectivity.

Complete construction of Metrolink from Swords to Sandyford and consider underground extensions to other locations from Charlemont.

LUAS Green Line Capacity Enhancement in advance of Metrolink.

REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES:

Undertake appraisal, planning and design of LUAS network expansion to Bray, Finglas, Lucan and Poolbeg.

Rail Infrastructure

Undertake assessment, and, if appropriate, planning and design of LUAS network expansion to Hazelhatch and Booterstown.

RPO 8.8: The RSES supports delivery of the rail projects set out in Table 8.2, subject to the outcome of appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process.

In principle there is a need to carry out an evaluation of underground metro routes within the M50.

Figure from page 190

Figure from page 191

Connectivity

Bus

Strategic Road Network

Within the Dublin Metropolitan Area, investment in bus infrastructure and services will be delivered through BusConnects. Outside the Metropolitan Area, where bus services provide the backbone of the regional public transport system, in particular for those without access to the private car, investment will be focussed on improving connectivity between regional settlements, including Dublin, and enhancing the reliability and the level of service within key settlements.

The quality of the strategic road network and connectivity to it, within the Region has been substantially improved over the last two decades, with many large-scale road schemes being completed and/or nearing completion. The NDP recognises the importance of achieving steadystate maintenance and safety of the National Roads network as a priority in order to ensure that the existing extensive transport networks, which have been greatly enhanced over the last two decades, are maintained to a high level to ensure high quality levels of service, accessibility and connectivity for transport users.

REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVE:

The RSES recognises the importance of maintaining, improving and protecting the strategic function of the key transport corridors including the imperative to improve and protect the strategic function of the Dublin to Belfast road corridor, which forms part of the TEN-T core network.

Bus Infrastructure

RPO 8.9: The RSES supports delivery of the bus projects set out in Table 8.3 subject to the outcome of appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process.

It is not intended to establish an exhaustive list of schemes for development over the period of the RSES especially with regard to maintenance and management of the Region’s roads network. Instead, it is intended that road schemes are developed in accordance with Guidelines on a Common Appraisal Framework for Transport Projects and Programmes for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in accordance with the general objectives of the RSES and the NTA’s Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area.

Table 8.3: Bus Projects for the Region

Core Bus Corridors comprising 16 radial routes and 3 orbital routes in Dublin

Regional Bus Corridors connecting the major regional settlements to Dublin

REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES:

Dublin Metropolitan Bus Network Review

Investment in Improved Strategic Road Connectivity

Network reviews for the largest settlements across EMRA, with a view to providing local bus services

RPO 8.10: The RSES supports appraisal and or delivery of the road projects set out in Table 8.4 subject to the outcome of appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process.

Review of bus services between settlements

Review of local bus services throughout EMRA, including services to small towns and villages and the rural transport programme

New interchange and bus hub facilities

New fare structures

Enhanced passenger information

Improvements to bus waiting facilities

Integrated timetabling of bus and rail into a coherent national and regional network.

Table 8.4: Road Projects for the Region

Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy

REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVE:

M7 Naas to Newbridge bypass widening, Osberstown Interchange and Sallins Bypass

Dublin – Belfast Economic Corridor

N2 Slane Bypass

RPO 8.11: Support the improvement, and protection, of the EU TEN-T network and the strategic function of the Dublin to Belfast road network.

N2 Rath Roundabout to Kilmoon Cross

N2 Ardee to south of Castleblaney

RPO 8.12: Support the delivery of a higher speed rail connection between Belfast and Dublin and Cork.

M4 Maynooth to Leixlip

M4 Mullingar to Longford (and Sligo)

M11 from Jn 4 M50 to Kilmacanogue

Rural Transport

N3 Clonee to M50

N52 Ardee Bypass

The NTA provides rural transport services through the Local Link Rural Transport Programme Strategic Plan 2018-2022. The key priorities of this programme continue to be directed at addressing rural social exclusion and the integration of rural transport services with other public transport services. The services provided under the programme are therefore intended to fulfil a primarily social function, in meeting the needs of communities in towns, villages and rural areas.

N52 Tullamore to Kilbeggan

M50 Dublin Port South Access

A number of significant regional road schemes will also be supported and local relief roads will be brought forward as a means of reallocating existing road space in urban areas to public transport, walking and cycling in accordance with guiding principles of this Strategy, subject to the outcome of appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process.

The NTA will develop and expand the Local Link Rural Transport Programme in the following manner:

In addition, long term protection shall remain for the Eastern Bypass and the Leinster Outer Orbital Route.

• seek further integration with other public transport services, including HSE and school transport;

• better linkage of services between towns, villages and rural areas;

Dublin – Belfast Economic Corridor

The Dublin – Belfast Economic Corridor comprises an internationally important spine connecting the two largest settlements on the island of Ireland via the regional growth centres of Drogheda, Dundalk and Newry.

• ensure fully accessible vehicles operate on all services;

• enhance the customer experience;

• increase patronage among children and young people; and

The RSES will promote the strategic function of the Dublin to Belfast corridor as a driver for regional economic development within the Region. This needs to be supported through targeted investment in transport infrastructure and services in connecting major urban centres and international gateways, complementing and maintaining its function as part of the EU TEN-T core network. The EMRA is seeking to promote public transport-based development on the Dublin – Belfast Economic Corridor (see Chapter 6 Economy and Employment).

• encourage innovation in the service.

REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVE:

Rural Transport Programme

RPO 8.13: Support the Local Link Rural Transport Programme throughout rural areas of the Region.

Figure from page 193

Connectivity

Park and Ride

Walking and Cycling

REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES:

The following walking and cycling objectives will guide investment in the EMRA:

Park and Ride

• Delivery of the cycle network set out in the NTA Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan inclusive of key commuter routes and urban greenways on the canal, river and coastal corridors

RPO 8.14: The RSES supports delivery of the strategic park and ride projects set out in Table 8.5 subject to the outcome of appropriate environmental assessment and the outcome of the planning process.

• Delivery of the National Cycle Plan within the Region inclusive of the Greenway and Blueway projects

• Provide safe cycling routes in towns and villages across the Region

Table 8.5: New and Enhanced Park and Ride

• Enhance pedestrian facilities in all urban areas in the Region; and

Swords

Finglas

• Investment priorities for cycleways feasibility and route selection studies for cycleways shall identify and subsequently avoid high sensitivity feeding or nesting points for birds and other sensitive fauna.

Dunboyne

Liffey Valley

Naas Road

Carrickmines

Woodbrook

Greystones

In addition, others may be developed in appropriate locations where the national road network meets the strategic public transport network. Across the EMRA, in particular at regional and suburban train stations and on bus routes, the potential for the development and/or expansion of local park and ride facilities will also be examined.

Figure from page 193

Figure from page 194

Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy