Rural Recognition

In general terms, the research found a general openness to small reductions in car usage at a personal level but with a desire for change to be fairly applied - and there were concerns about a direct attack on all car drivers. The research acknowledged that realistic change will depend on integrated, reliable public transport as well as public knowledge of this and pointed to the need for translating the change in behaviour and reduction of car usage into something positive. More detail on this research is available in Chapter 8.

endeavors, in so far as is practicable, to maximise employment opportunities, and support persons and communities that may be negatively affected by the transition. That said, the objective of this Strategy will largely support all cohorts of society in terms of accessibility, safety, health and wellbeing.

Accessibility and Inclusion

It is recognised that people with additional mobility requirements or considerations, including disabled people and people with caring responsibilities, are more reliant on private cars for accessing services such as employment, education, retail, medical and entertainment. This Strategy will not prevent people from using cars, rather it will ensure the provision of accessible parking is retained, and strengthened, where possible. By ensuring urban centres have a balanced approach to land-use and transport planning, towns and cities can become more accessible, and permeable to all irrespective of age, gender, physical ability or ethnicity when collaboration and disability-proofed design is deployed.

Finally, the Department also took steps to assess the gender impacts of this Strategy and participated in a pilot phase of the European Commission’s Technical Support Instrument (TSI) flagship project on ‘Gender Mainstreaming in Public Policy and Budgeting’, led by Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). The development of this Strategy was one of two areas within the Department of Transport that volunteered for inclusion in the Irish workstream of this European project.

Guiding Principles in Developing and Implementing the Strategy

Rural Recognition

Not surprisingly, kilometres travelled by car, and the associated level of emissions per capita from transport, is significantly higher in rural areas than for inner suburban and urban areas. It is acknowledged that those living in rural areas, particularly in one-off houses or on offshore islands, have less access to sustainable means of travel compared with those living in or close to large urban centres. In light of this and given that the greatest health impacts from traffic congestion and pollution is experienced by urban residents and workers, it is intended that demand management measures will be rolled out, in the first instance, to such centres. Having regard to rural communities, where the provision of

Taking account of evidence, research and experience nationally and internationally in developing and implementing similar strategies, the following guiding principles were identified as key to ensuring broad public acceptance of the Strategy and as a means of elevating the key issues for consideration, particularly during the implementation phase.

Just Transition

Just transition is a key principle in efforts to address climate change. It is recognised that the cost of transitioning to carbon neutrality can have different impacts on different cohorts of the population. Not everyone will have the means to switch to driving an electric vehicle nor easy and immediate access to public transport.

public transport is less extensive, it is expected that implementing bodies will deploy demand management measures in tandem with ongoing investment in programmes such as active travel infrastructure and Town Centre First initiatives alongside Connecting Ireland.

This Strategy will seek to ensure that the timing and sequencing of measures will align with the rollout of new and enhanced public transport services and public transport and active travel infrastructure projects. The Climate Action Plan advises that Government shall have regard to the requirement for a just transition to a climate neutral economy which

Local Link Services - Connecting Ireland