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Transport Policies 2008

Introduction
The primary objective of the Transportation Framework is to set out policies that will lead to the continued development of a comprehensive and sustainable transportation network that facilitates the movement requirements of those who live, work and visit within the Docklands both now and well into the future.

In light of the popularity of travelling by foot in the Docklands, and the need for continued support for sustainable transport modes, the Transportation Framework policies have been restructured to impart greater emphasis on pedestrian, cyclist and public transport provision.

The Transportation Framework is presented under 5 key headings: Pedestrian and Cyclists; Public Transport; Environment and Sustainability; Strategic Road Network; and Water-Based Transport.

Recently Completed Developments:

• Sean O’Casey Bridge was completed in 2005
• The Luas Red Line commenced operation in 2004 introducing light rail services from Connolly Station to Tallaght
• Pearse Street Bus Priority Scheme comprised additional bus and cycle lanes and the reduction of general traffic capacity by one lane along most of the scheme. 
• The Dart Upgrade project, which was completed in September 2005, allowed the introduction of longer eight-carriage trains, significantly increasing capacity and passenger comfort.
• Dublin Port Tunnel opened on 20 December 2006 and the associated HGV management strategy was implemented by Dublin City Council on 19 February 2007.
• The Liffey Ferry takes passengers across the River Liffey from Sir John Rogerson’s Quay to North Wall Quay.

Transportation Objectives:

• Pedestrians and Cyclists: Create and support a network of pedestrian and cycle infrastructure to promote and facilitate walking and cycling; provide priority for pedestrians and cyclists along key desire lines.
• Public Transport: Support the continued development of an integrated public transport system to serve the existing and future needs of the Docklands.
• Sustainable Transport and Environmental Impact: Reduce the adverse environmental impact of traffic by supporting the use of sustainable modes of transport
• Strategic Road Network: Support the function of the strategic road network through the Docklands; ensure that appropriate road infrastructure is provided on primary routes.
• Water-Based Transport: Maximise the potential benefit of the water bodies within the Docklands for recreational and transport purposes.

Pedestrian & Cyclists
The promotion and facilitation of walking and cycling is essential to the sustainable development of the Docklands. Direct and attractive cycle and pedestrians linkages are proposed along key routes within the Docklands. The rivers and canals within the Docklands can present a barrier to pedestrian and cycle movement. The success of the Sean O’Casey Bridge illustrates the potential benefit of providing additional river crossings. A number of additional bridges are proposed under the Docklands Master Plan. It is recommended that consideration should be given to the incorporation of pedestrian and cycle infrastructure into all new bridges within the Docklands, including the Samuel Beckett Bridge, the Dodder Bridge and the new canal crossing on Mayor Street.

The 2006 Census cofirms that the Docklands currently supports sustainable transport. Almost half (46%) of all Docklands residents now walk to work or education. Add to this the number of pedestrians generated by the public transport nodes within the Docklands, and the importance of a comprehensive permeable pedestrian network for the area cannot be underestimated. Walking is the most sustainable form of transport and the high level of walking activity in the Docklands is to be welcomed, encouraged and built upon further.

In order to improve connectivity within the Docklands, the Authority will support the development of three new pedestrian bridges. Two new pedestrian bridges across the Liffey are proposed, the first to be located between Forbes Street and North Wall Quay and the second to link Benson Street with Castleforbes Road. The Docklands Master Plan also provides for a new pedestrian crossing over the Dodder River creating a link between Thorncastle Street and the Grand Canal Lock Gates to Hanover Quay.

During all phases of the Docklands redevelopment, appropriate parking and storage facilities for bicycles should be provided at prominent locations throughout the area and at transport interchanges for public use. The Authority will seek to develop and implement cycle parking and facility standards for developments in the Docklands. A comprehensive cycling network has been identified

Public Transport
The Docklands benefits from a significant level of public transport provision at present. The 2006 Census indicates that 44% of trips into the Docklands are by public transport (20% by bus and 22% by rail). The availability of public transport is not uniform throughout the Docklands and there are areas that require improved accessibility to public transport. Furthermore, there are areas designated for future development, such as Poolbeg, which will require significant public transport intervention, phased in over time, to deliver similar levels of public transport mode share as the rest of the Docklands. The Authority will continue to seek improvements in the local public transport services and to ensure that sufficient links to public transport nodes are provided through the development of suitable pedestrian, cycle and feeder services.

Transport 21
Transport 21 has been launched since the preparation of the previous Docklands Master Plan and provides the structure for the delivery of major public transport infrastructure up to 2016.  A number of Transport 21 schemes will directly affect the Docklands, including the expansion of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann fleet, the extension of the Luas to the Point, the city centre re-signalling project and the Interconnector underground rail line from Heuston to Spencer Dock connecting the Kildare rail line and the northern rail line. The most significant of these is the construction of the Interconnector, which will have a station located at Spencer Dock.

Environment & Sustainability
Increasingly, there is a greater understanding of the potential negative impact of transport on our environment, both in terms of local air and noise pollution and the wider effects of CO2 emissions. The Authority supports the promotion of sustainable transport for the Docklands.

To achieve the vision for sustainable travel and transport the transportation framework should support a shift towards public transport, walking and cycling, bringing about significant reduction in congestion and in transport emissions. The Docklands already generates a very high proportion of person trips by sustainable modes of transport, particularly by walking and public transport. In conjunction with cycling, these sustainable modes now comprise 72% of all person trips from the Docklands to work or education and 62% of all person trips to the Docklands to work.

The Authority will examine the potential to implement new initiatives such as , there may be merit in initiating car-sharing schemes, school travel plans or personalised travel planning in order to further this goal.

The Authority’s River Liffey Regeneration Strategy advocates the enhancement of the pedestrian environment at the Quay in front of the Custom House. At present, Beresford Place continues to experience severe traffic congestion at peak periods and there is little opportunity to realise considerable pedestrian improvements.  When the Samuel Beckett Bridge is open to traffic, an alternative route will be available for a portion of the traffic currently using Butt Bridge and Memorial Bridge. 

Over half of all households within the Docklands do not own a car, while 37% have one, 10% have two and just 2% have three or more.  This indicates that the current car parking standards used within the Docklands are more than sufficient to cater for residential parking requirements. Appropriate levels of public car parking should be provided at key strategic locations within the Dock-lands to facilitate short-term shopping, leisure and business use.  Parking charges will need to be applied to deter commuter use.

Strategic Road Network
The strategic road network within the Docklands is limited to a small number of major roads. Although none of the roads within the Docklands are designated as national primary roads, the major roads carry significant volumes of traffic and provide highly important links in the local, regional and national road network.

Special Speed Limit Areas
In 2006, Dublin City introduced bye-laws limiting the permitted vehicle speed to 30kph in particular areas, one of which is Ringsend. The lowering of speed limits to 30kph should be supported in appro­priate locations, especially in areas where there is a high level of pedestrian and cycle activity.

Poolbeg Road Network
A revised road network will be needed to facilitate the development of Poolbeg.  The roads and street network should be designed in line with the road-hierarchy proposed within the Docklands Master Plan. The network must integrate with the surrounding transportation network, particularly as regards citywide pedestrian and cycle routes, including the S2S (Sutton to Sandycove).

Water-based Transport
The waterways within the Docklands are a valuable resource and the Transportation Framework seeks to maximise the potential benefot of the waterways for recreation and transport purposes. 

At present, a public ferry service operates across the Liffey between Sir John Rogerson’s Quay and North Wall, providing a link for pedestrian between the north and south docks. From March to November, the Liffey Voyage provides sight-seeing tours of the river, departing from Custom House Quay. The Authority will support the continued the development of water-based public transport within the Transporation Framework. The potential of the Liffey to act as a commuting route within the Docklands has not been fully utilised to date. The Authority will seek the future expansion of waterbus services to cater for commuter trips within the Docklands.

The rivers and canals within the Docklands provide for high-quality recreational water-based activities. The Authority will continue to collaborate with Dublin Port to promote the provision of adequate boat­ing facilities and Waterways Ireland.