Chapter 6: Connectivity and Movement

To achieve sustainable development in Fingal and respond to key transportation challenges over the lifetime of this Plan, recognising that there is an over reliance on the private cars throughout the County and the need to reduce transport emissions, this chapter identifies the policy framework to facilitate travel demands and cater for travel needs across Fingal in a sustainable manner. One of the key strategic objectives of this Plan is to strengthen the integration of land-use and transport planning with a priority focus on increased provision of walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure. This Plan promotes an integrated and sustainable transport network that is inclusive and accessible for all. Alongside this, the creation of attractive public realms and healthy placemaking will ensure that communities are connected in a sustainable and efficient way. Easy access to and from residential developments, workplaces, schools and services and reliable commercial deliveries and servicing will be dependent on an increasingly efficient system of transport given the projected increases in demand for travel. This Plan also promotes the continued management of traffic, the protection and enhancement of strategic transport corridors and the efficient movement of freight.

This Plan recognises and supports a collaborative approach that needs to be taken by all stakeholders to ensure the delivery of a sustainable transport network including key transport projects, new walking and cycling infrastructure, behavioural change initiatives and improved roads access. It embraces the use of technology that enables more efficient movement around our County, including the increased use of shared mobility schemes for cars and bikes, electric vehicles and supporting measures to change travel behaviours. Combined, these measures will aid the delivery of an integrated transport system which will assist modal shift, improve quality of life, create more attractive and accessible environments, foster sustainable economic growth and underpin the transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society.

6.2  Context

Effective connectivity locally, nationally and internationally makes Fingal an attractive place for people to live, work and visit and for businesses to operate in and invest. This leads to multiple benefits for the County and wider Dublin region. Fingal already benefits from strong transport connections through Dublin Airport, Dublin Tunnel and the strategic road corridors that run through the County as well as extensive bus and rail networks. Dublin Airport is the most important strategic location for international connectivity in the Country for both passengers and freight. Dublin Port, accessed directly from Fingal via the Dublin Tunnel, is the most important point of entry for freight on the island. This current network comprises key international and national routes including elements of the Trans European Network (TEN-T) where the ‘movement function’ of the route is critical. This includes the M1 and M50 motorways and the Dublin-Belfast rail line. Both the M1 and the Dublin – Belfast northern rail line provides critical transport connections within the Dublin – Belfast Economic Corridor.

The Maynooth and PACE railway lines [Dunboyne/M3 Parkway rail line] and Dart and suburban rail form critically important elements of the existing transport network within Fingal which connects to

Dublin City Centre and Country wide rail and bus networks. The extensive Dublin Bus network including the provision of quality bus corridors in areas such as Swords, Blanchardstown, Malahide, Ballymun and Finglas facilitates enhanced travel connections to Dublin City.

Localised urban roads and streets accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and cars. On these routes the ‘place’ function of the route becomes more important as we try to create conditions to encourage use of sustainable modes and attractive environments. This element of the network offers the most potential to positively influence travel behaviour and presents opportunities to facilitate sustainable transport choices while at the same time making attractive places to live and visit. Fingal County Council continues to make progress in adding to the local transport network through allocation of existing road space for pedestrians and cyclists, public realm improvements and the advancement of new cycling and walking routes and Greenways. The Council is rolling out the Safe Routes to School Programme and other improved mobility solutions to foster active travel to schools and within neighbourhoods.

New forms of mobility continue to be embraced by the Council, including a shift to electric vehicles for Council owned operational fleets and the provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support the use of EV vehicles as well as the establishment of its first local mobility hubs to serve the general public and Fingal County Council staff members. The Council is facilitating the expansion of shared schemes for bikes and cars across the County and the introduction of initiatives such as Community Car Service and Age Friendly Fingal to respond to specific mobility needs. The integration of land-use and transportation continues through the implementation of development within plan frameworks along existing transport corridors and these areas continue to consolidate. The Council continues to progress a number of studies and projects across the County with the aim to improve the public realm and promote sustainable travel options.

In the context of existing mode share, the Socio-Economic Profile of Fingal which was prepared to inform this Plan, highlights slightly lower reliance on private cars was evident compared to the national level at 51.8% of all commuters in 2016, whilst cycling and public transport modal share increased by 0.6% in both cases from 2011 to 2.8% and 20.5% respectively in 2016. Census 2016 shows that by far the greatest numbers of trips to work in Fingal are made by car, at 59.4% of all modes of transport. Bus and rail to work equates to 20.4 % while cycling to work equates to 2.5% with 5.4% getting to  work on foot and a total of 12.3% for other alternative modes. The latter would indicate a latent demand for more public transport and active travel infrastructure, thereby allowing people to make more sustainable transport options in their daily travel patterns if active travel alternatives were more readily available.

6.3  Opportunities

This Plan has a key role to play in facilitating potential for real change in the way people move around and connect within the County by creating conditions to enable a transition from dependency on the private car and fossil fuel-based mobility in favour of more sustainable modes, which in turn will help to reduce the negative impacts of transport and climate change. There is an opportunity to build on current progress, to strengthen the alignment between land-use and transport infrastructure and continue to work closely with national agencies to advance the delivery of key public transport projects. This can be achieved through prioritising the increased provision of high-quality, walkable and accessible public realm environments and safe and attractive cycling facilities and to optimise connectivity between sustainable modes through increased walking and cycling provision. Through these measures, there is an opportunity to assist modal shift and to make walking and cycling the natural choice for everyday shorter trips, many of which are currently made by car. Fingal County Council will facilitate active travel across the County and will engage widely with the public through open consultation in relation to a sustainable transport system and active travel. There is also an opportunity to interconnect many our climate-based objectives such as nature-based solutions with travel networks to help deliver a range of environmental and public realm benefits. There is an opportunity to respond in a pro-active and collaborative way to ensure that the County is ready for and can fully benefit from technological changes in transport including the increasing role of shared mobility schemes, micro mobility modes, electric vehicles and the application of technology in the mobility sector. The County benefits from a number of strategic transport corridors which provide an essential means of international, national and regional connectivity and due to this accessibility, provides opportunities for increased trade and investment and tourism, subject to the efficient use of our road and rail networks.

6.4  Strategic Aims

Transportation policy in Fingal is guided by a comprehensive and co-ordinated set of National and Regional policy documents including the NPF and RSES. Across these various policy documents, there are overarching policy and objectives to achieve compact growth through the integration of land-use and transportation planning, sustainable mobility and healthy placemaking with the aims to promote active travel modes, reduce dependency on the private car, tackle climate change and increase accessibility and connectivity within both urban and rural areas. The NTA’s Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 which is currently under review also builds on this approach and sets out the guiding policy and objectives for the efficient, effective and sustainable movement of people and goods through a network of public transport, walking and cycling improvements including high levels of network integration for the GDA including Fingal. There are many other National and Regional policy documents relevant to sustainable mobility, some of which are referred to within individual policies and objectives in this chapter. A full list of guidance documents that informed the preparation of this Plan is set out within Appendices 2 and 3.

6.5  Policies and Objectives

6.5.1  The Role of Transportation Policy in Addressing Climate Change

Reducing emissions from transport is one of the major challenges facing society and Fingal County Council acknowledges the importance of transitioning to low carbon mobility solutions to mitigate against climate change. This chapter contains policies and objectives to achieve this goal which will assist the Council in achieving its climate change targets as well as other positive environmental benefits. This Plan promotes the need for a shift to more sustainable travel choices by designing our built environments in a way that prioritises the most carbon efficient modes such as walking, cycling and public transport. It also seeks to support and encourage behavioural change by placing a focus on achieving residential and employment development in sustainable compact locations and utilising brownfield lands in our existing settlements adjacent to existing facilities and transport infrastructure.

Fingal County Council recognises that an effective response to carbon emissions and climate change requires an integrated approach across all policy areas in the Plan. Whilst the key drivers in this regard will be those contained in this chapter that support the integration of land-use planning with the development of a sustainable transport network, these will be complemented by other policies contained in this Plan such as those in Chapter 5 Climate Action supporting an increase in EV charging facilities, the creation of active travel corridors and the associated opportunities to incorporate nature-based solutions such as SuDs features, landscaping and enhanced habitats. The National Climate Action Plan 2021 identifies increases in active travel and public transport trips and a reduction in vehicle kilometres as essential parts of meeting 2030 and 2050 climate targets. These changes shall be reflected in all calculations/predictions of demand for various travel modes carried out by the Council or for development consent purposes.
 

6.5.2  Demand Management

As the demand for travel across the County continues to grow in line with ongoing and future development, this Plan will seek to ensure that this growth is accompanied by appropriate levels of sustainable transport provision, in order to achieve appropriate modal shares. To manage the future demand for travel, this Plan prioritises the following measures:

• Land use policies which reduce demand for travel by bringing people and the activities they need to access closer together.
• Improved transport options such as walking, cycling and public transport, designing roads and streets to improve conditions for sustainable modes and encouraging behavioural change to more sustainable modes whilst maintaining appropriate levels of access for general vehicular and freight traffic as required.
• Control Measures such as mobility management, parking management and traffic management.

6.5.3  Integration of Land-Use and Transport

The NPF provides policy on developing existing settlements and infill brownfield sites along high- capacity transport corridors. The RSES underpinned by the NPF, provides a robust framework to achieve successful integration between land-use and transportation planning and achieving sustainable higher densities and appropriate uses at nodes serviced by public transport networks. To ensure that the population and employment growth projected for Fingal occurs in a sustainable manner, it is essential that land-use and transport planning continues to be closely aligned. Integrating new housing, employment and services with high-capacity public transport corridors in conjunction with attractive walking and cycling networks and permeable links to rail and bus stations can reduce the need to travel and support the functioning of a connected and sustainable transport system. This also has the benefit of extending the catchment of sustainable modes to more people and places to support investment in public transport infrastructure. This will enable the implementation of Transit Oriented Development whereby development is consolidated around existing or planned public corridors at a scale or density that supports the viability of high-capacity public transport infrastructure.

Adopting this approach facilitates compact growth, a recurring theme in this Plan and maximises the opportunities presented by MetroLink, LUAS and DART+ proposals, as well as the existing and planned bus improvements under BusConnects. Land-use policy within Fingal supports development along its identified high-capacity public transport corridors.

This Plan supports high-density, mixed-use development and trip intensive uses integrated with high- quality walking and cycling infrastructure around high-capacity public transport corridors and nodes, through plan frameworks, in order to generate and reinforce sustainable patterns of growth and development in the County. This policy focus is intended to, not only reflect the policy supported in the NPF and RSES but critically, as a measure, has the potential to reduce the climate impact of transport by encouraging a shift from the private car to public transport, walking and cycling.

6.5.4  Area Based Transport Assessment (ABTA)

ABTAs are used by Planning Authorities in the preparation of land use plans. ABTAs place the integration of land use and transport planning at the centre of the plan preparation process. In terms of policy integration, ABTA’s can provide the link between National and Regional transport policies and objectives into local level transportation service provision and land-use plans and developments. This Plan supports the use of ABTAs in the preparation of plan frameworks for development areas across the County.

ABTA’s can also inform the preparation of Local Transport Plans. The RSES includes policy objectives requiring the preparation of Local Transport Plans in selected settlements in the region, including Balbriggan, which is identified as a self-sustaining town. Local Transport Plans will examine the current lack of alternatives to the private car in tandem with land-use patterns which can better affect a modal shift to more sustainable modes of transport of walking and cycling and public transport. This integrated framework will inform future investment in sustainable mobility options for the town.

6.5.5  Mobility Management

Mobility management is an effective means of encouraging sustainable travel choices and reducing car-based travel in existing and new developments. Mobility management plans including workplace travel plans can minimise the impact of the traffic generated by developments, and they often include mitigation measures based on assessments of the existing or required levels of public transport provision, cycle and walking infrastructure and parking provision. Mobility Management Plans will continue to be a requirement in the Development Management process and are discussed in more detail in Chapter 14 Development Management Standards of this Plan.

6.5.6  A Sustainable and Integrated Transport Network

Promoting the expanded provision of sustainable travel modes such as walking, cycling and public transport based on an integrated network approach will help re-balance the focus to those modes

that have lower emissions and contribute to creating high-quality environments across the County as well as improved quality of life for residents, commuters and visitors to Fingal.

6.5.6.1  Walking and Cycling (Active Travel)

Walking and cycling is a cost effective, sustainable and growing mode of transport. This Plan, as well as National policy and the NTA’s GDA Transport Strategy emphasises the benefits that walking and cycling infrastructure will deliver. To build on current progress and to make active travel an attractive option, the provision of high-quality and permeable pedestrian and cycle networks is required.

To achieve this, the Council supports the delivery of a programme of high-quality cycling and walking infrastructure across the County, including such provision through the Development Management process where relevant and appropriate. As well as the provision of active travel infrastructure, an important measure of successful mobility is also dependent on quality of experience through quality public realm, accessibility, permeability and legibility. A range of public realm improvements will create attractive urban centres and improve conditions to make walking and cycling a safer, healthier, quicker, more direct and more attractive form of travel. The prioritisation of walking and cycling is a key priority of this Plan through the reallocation of existing road space and improved public realm that is accessible for all. An Active Travel Strategy is currently under preparation by Fingal County Council and this will inform further improvements in the walking and cycling environment including the provision of publicly accessible bicycle parking.

To support behavioural change and encourage increased cycling, this Plan supports a range of measures designed to enhance the cyclist’s experience and safety including continued expansion of shared bike schemes, increased publicly accessible cycle parking, cycling promotion campaigns and interventions that encourage people with disabilities to cycle. The provision of convenient, secure and central cycle parking facilities are critical factors in encouraging increased cycling. The provision of strategic high-quality off-street cycle parks, particularly in town centres and close to key destinations and parking for cargo and adapted bikes is also required. Requirements aimed to support and increase cycling including bicycle parking standards are presented in Chapter 14 Development Management Standards of this Plan.

The NDP 2021-2030 allocates significant annual funding towards the development of walking and cycling infrastructure across the County. The Council will continue to build on current progress to develop an expanded, high-quality and connected walking and cycling network throughout the County. Routes within the network will have regard to the NTA Cycle Network Plan for the GDA and the NTA’s Cycle Manual while also allowing for the provision of routes identified by the Council that are not featured in the NTA Cycle Network Plan.

6.5.6.2  Greenway Network

With significant coastline, canals, extensive parklands and rural hinterland and a generally attractive and walkable environment, Fingal has the potential to develop an extensive network of strategic Greenway routes for walking and cycling which will become an attractive component of Fingal’s integrated transport network. Greenways can serve recreational, commuter and functional users. As such, they offer the potential for a wide range of economic, social, health and environmental benefits. Fingal County Council will continue to progress an ambitious programme of Greenway projects during the lifetime of this Plan as set out in Table 6.1 in conjunction with relevant agencies and stakeholders.

Table 6.1 Greenways/High Quality Cycling and Walking Routes

6.5.6.3  Public Rights of Way

The Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) requires that Development Plans preserve Public Rights of Way (PROWs) which give access to seashore, mountain, lakeshore, riverbank or other places of natural beauty or recreational utility. The identification of public rights of way, as required under the Planning and Development Act, is a difficult and resource intensive exercise in the absence of land law or property registry to facilitate. Often, incomplete or no records are available to confirm the legal status of Public Rights of Way and case law suggests that unless conclusive proof is available, a prudent approach should be adopted.

Based on the legislation, only PROWs for which their existence is well established and, where possible, documented, should be included under the narrow definition of Section 10(2) (o) of the Act and as set out in the OPR Case Study Paper CSP01 Public Rights of Way and the Local Authority Development Plan 2021 guidance document. Fingal also benefits from a number of existing recreational and coastal routes. In addition, the creation of Permissive Access Routes to high amenity, recreational and scenic lands in partnership with landowners, adjoining Local Authorities, public bodies and other state agencies is considered to be an achievable mechanism to secure access to places of natural beauty or utility. Table 6.2 identifies PROW in the County and is shown along with existing recreational and coastal routes on the relevant Development Plan maps. It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive. Over the lifetime of this Plan, the Council will endeavour to add to this list within the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).

Table 6.2 Existing Public Rights of Way

6.5.6.4  Public Realm and Healthy Streets

Public realm refers to all the areas to which the public has access such as roads, streets, footpaths, parks, open spaces and public squares. The quality and attractiveness of the public realm plays a key role in encouraging walking, cycling and the use of public transport. 'Healthy Streets' is a concept for how street environments and the wider street network will be planned to promote healthier, more efficient and more sustainable transport options.

The design and layout of new developments will be required to support quality public realm by providing quality urban design and finishes to create attractive, safe, accessible, connected, comfortable and permeable layouts. Fingal County Council will continue to progress public realm projects and invest in public realm improvements and will continue to work with the NTA, TII and other agencies to ensure that public transport projects deliver high-quality public realm and pedestrian space as an integral part of the projects. Permeability is particularly important for those with additional needs, Fingal County Council will continue to prioritise the continuation of widening pavements to facilitate those with disabilities, the elderly, people with prams and small children. Chapter 3 Sustainable Placemaking and Quality Homes of this Plan provides more detail on quality public realm.
 

6.5.6.5  Accessibility and Universal Design

Universal design is the design of the environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age or ability. The need for equality of access to all aspects the built environment for all individuals is recognised by Fingal County Council as essential for equal opportunities and the development of an inclusive society is a recurring theme in this Plan. The principle of universal design for all is supported and required in the implementation of all aspects of the built environment including public realm and the pedestrian and cycling network including the Greenway network, to create an environment that is safe and accessible and in accordance with best accessibility practice. This Plan also supports the priority for people with mobility issues who require a car to carry out their daily activities where active travel is not an option. The Council will continue to work with national agencies in supporting and addressing the transport and access needs particularly for vulnerable groups such as people with mobility impairment and/or disabilities including the elderly and people with children.

6.5.6.6  Permeability

A permeable street network is a key component in supporting walking and cycling environments. The NTA’s Permeability Best Practice Guide sets out guidance to assist Local Authorities and other stakeholders to address the legacy of severance within existing built-up areas and to facilitate enhanced permeability within these areas. The Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets 2019 (DMURS) also includes permeability objectives. Both the implementation of the NTA’s guidance in conjunction with DMURS addresses permeability in both new and existing areas. This Plan seeks to ensure that all development areas are permeable for pedestrians and cyclists and opportunities to improve permeability for these modes in existing developed areas will be sought. The principle of ‘filtered permeability’ will apply in all new development. This will create a more attractive environment for walking and cycling, while maintaining accessibility for local residents, deliveries or emergencies.

6.5.6.7  Safe Routes to School

To encourage a modal shift to walking and cycling for school journeys and to foster independent cycling among children, walking and cycling to school will become a safer and more attractive option through the creation of safe, legible and pleasant walking and cycling routes through the continued roll out the Safe Routes to School Programme. The Council will continue to support initiatives such as the Green Schools Travel Forum as part of An Taisce’s Green School Travel Programme.

6.5.6.8  Personal Mobility Modes and Shared Mobility Schemes

There has been a rapid increase in personal mobility modes and shared mobility schemes in recent years based on a demand for more flexible, cheaper and greener travel options. Shared mobility refers to the shared use of a bicycle in the form of shared bike schemes or other travel modes with short- term access to one of these modes of travel as required. Personal mobility modes refers to personal vehicles such as bikes and scooters including electric and dockless models. These personal modes of travel have emerged in recent years and e-scooters, in particular, have become a visibly more popular transport mode across the Country including Fingal. Personal mobility allows for a convenient and flexible level of local mobility, supporting better connections with public transport and enabling active mobility intermodal trips. Both personal and shared mobility transportation modes, while generally facilitating shorter trips, provide alternative sustainable modes and further support the decarbonisation of transport.

6.5.6.9  Promoting Behavioural Change

A shift toward more sustainable modes of travel will need to be supported at a local level through behavioural change initiatives. Tailored programmes and awareness-raising campaigns can have an influence on an individual’s mobility choices, particularly when combined with high-quality travel infrastructure. The Council will continue to support initiatives to achieve greater level of modal shift including:

• Safer Routes to School Programme
• Cycling/Walking Initiatives including ‘Gearing up for Training’
• Cycling without Age
• Cycle Buses
• Walking Buses
• Bike to Work Scheme
• Road Safety Measures – Promotion and Awareness

6.5.7  Public Transport

Public transport is crucial in supporting future sustainable and economic growth within the County, providing more efficient and reliable access to key urban centres within the region as well as connectivity to other major towns and cities. It also enables high volumes of people to make movements and connections much more efficiently and easily without the use of the private car, enabling mode shift which in turn will help to reduce traffic congestion and harmful emissions and improving quality of life for residents, commuters and visitors. The NTA’s GDA Transport Strategy provides the framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the strategy period. The strategy is currently being reviewed and an updated strategy will be prepared for the period up to 2042.

Fingal is set to benefit from major rail and bus projects such as MetroLink, BusConnects and DART+ and LUAS Expansion under the National Development Plan 2021-2030. These projects are identified as key growth enablers for Fingal in the NPF and will significantly increase capacity and allow more services to operate across the region, facilitating Fingal’s vision for compact growth and sustainable mobility, serving key destinations and facilitating opportunities along the route for high-density residential development, mixed-use and employment generating activities. These projects combined with enhanced walking and cycling facilities have the potential over the coming years to have a transformative impact on travel by shifting the dominance of car-based transport towards public transport. The South Fingal Transport Study 2019 will also play its part facilitating sustainable growth within the Swords and south Fingal areas, particularly in the period before the delivery of MetroLink. The Council will continue to implement and support the recommendations of the Study in consultation with other stakeholders. This includes MetroLink, BusConnects, upgrades to the R132 and the delivery of the Swords Western Distributor Road.

The Council will continue to work with the NTA, the statutory agency responsible for long term strategic transport planning in the GDA and the relevant transport providers of the TII and Irish Rail, to focus on the delivery of an integrated public transport system to service newly developed and existing areas, to address gaps in the system, to improve access to public transport stops and services, to improve the integration between high-density development and public transport nodes and safeguard the route alignments for planned strategic public transport infrastructure which is further supported in Chapter 14 Development Management Standards of this Plan.

6.5.7.1  Rural Transport

This Plan acknowledges and supports the role rural transport services can play in maximising accessibility to rural areas within the County in addressing social exclusion and improving connectivity and mobility within rural areas. The NTA’s Local Link rural transport service links many of the smaller settlements and rural areas around the County. The NTA is currently progressing Connecting Ireland, a public transport programme that aims to improve the quantity, quality and utility of public transport outside of the major urban areas, to introduce a systematic and strategic approach to planning new routes and services and to apply a partnership approach to bus network planning. The Council recognises the potential to expand and diversify rural transport service to broaden its passenger base in response to local needs and Fingal County Council will continue to work with the NTA in this regard.

6.5.7.2   Supporting Measures to Complement the Public Transport Network

Further measures are required to support the delivery of an effective public transport system including:

6.5.7.3  Transport Interchange

The ability to interchange efficiently between modes is a key element in improving the attractiveness of sustainable transport modes including public transport and to enable the integration of the transport network. This Plan supports the development of high-quality transport interchange with a focus on the provision of legible, informative direct, accessible, convenient, comfortable and secure interchange facilities to ensure seamless transition between different transport modes.

Park and Ride involves the provision of high-capacity, car parking facilities at designated public transport interchanges to provide onward access to Dublin City Centre and other key destinations via high frequency public transport, walking or cycling. Park and Ride facilities will play a role in reducing congestion and provide opportunities for interchange between modes and widen the catchment for public transport services, enhancing accessibility to key destinations and strengthening the functional relationship between areas. This is particularly the case for rural or low-density areas where it is not feasible to provide high-frequency public transport services. Park and Ride is a component of NTA’s GDA Transport Strategy where strategic Park and Ride facilities will be related to the delivery of key strategic public transport projects including MetroLink, BusConnects and LUAS Expansion projects. The Council will continue to work closely with the NTA to facilitate the delivery of Park and Ride facilities at strategic locations during the lifetime of this Plan. The provision of electric vehicle charging points to suit a variety of different charging speeds to support the transition to low emission vehicles and e-bikes will be required in the design and development of such facilities.

6.5.7.4  Mobility Hubs

A mobility hub is a relatively new concept which is increasing across European cities with the aim to encourage multiple and sustainable travel options in areas adjoining existing public transport links with high concentrations of employment, housing, shopping, amenities and recreation. Typically, a mobility hub includes supplementary facilities including public transport stops, high-capacity cycle parking, bicycle sharing systems dedicated car-club spaces, car-sharing spaces, electric charging facilities for cars and taxi drop-off to facilitate connectivity and ease of movement between different travel options. Local mobility hubs may include formalising existing surface or multi-storey car parks and existing rail and bus stations may also be retrofitted as mobility hubs. Together with quality public realm and placemaking, mobility hubs can help create vibrant and liveable places to support the travel experience. Following on from the success of the first Fingal County Council Mobility Hub in the D15 area, additional hubs will be rolled out by the Council on a phased basis across the County during the lifetime of this Plan and any additional mobility hubs will be facilitated through the Development Management process.

6.5.7.5  Car-Clubs/Car-Sharing Schemes

‘Car-clubs’ and ‘pool car-schemes’ are shared pools of cars available locally for short term hire and are a convenient alternative to car ownership. They allow for occasional car use but discourage unnecessary car journeys. Car-clubs are increasingly growing in Fingal and are an important tool in facilitating low-car development particularly in urban areas. They are an important method of facilitating the reduction of car ownership and supporting the shift to low carbon modes. To support the continued growth in the provision of car-clubs/car-sharing schemes, particularly as part of mobility hubs, high-density residential development or high employment and commercial uses, the Council will facilitate alternatives to private car ownership including the provision of more designated on-street bays for car-club schemes during the lifetime of this Plan.

6.5.7.6  Small Public Service Vehicles

Taxis provide an important transport service offering door-to-door trips, can supplement a public transport system and offer the ability to complete one-off trips that may be difficult to provide for efficiently by other modes. To support these roles, the Council will facilitate and support the improved integration of small public service vehicles into the overall public transport network.

6.5.8  Car Parking Management

The implementation of robust car parking policy in the County will play a key role in changing travel behaviour and promoting sustainable mobility. The Council already undertakes significant management of the public realm to ensure the effects of illegal parking behaviour by drivers is mitigated. As the importance of safe, comfortable and attractive public realm areas will increase under this Plan, the Council will continue to robustly enforce parking regulations in this regard. This Plan includes comprehensive car parking policies as well as standards set out within Chapter 14 Development Management Standards of this Plan. This includes a particular emphasis on car parking as a demand management tool and a driver for behavioural change. This Plan promotes accessible car parking, car-share schemes and electrical vehicle charging both on the existing road network and in private developments through the Development Management process.

6.5.9  Protection of Strategic Transport Connections

The importance of the existing air, road and rail transport corridors within the County that provides strategically important connections internationally and between other major cities within the Country as well linking to other key urban centres with strong regional functions is acknowledged and supported. National and Regional policy objectives seek to protect and enhance global connectivity and regional accessibility which is essential for Fingal to retain and strengthen its economic competitiveness, ability to attract inward investment and its attractiveness as a tourism destination.

6.5.9.1  Dublin Airport

As the primary international gateway, Dublin Airport plays a vital role in providing international connectivity and is an important economic driver to Fingal, the mid-east region and nationally. It is also acknowledged that with the impact of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic on our economy, our international gateways are key to safeguarding our resilience and ability to adapt to change. The Dublin Airport LAP 2020 sets out a framework to facilitate the future development, operation and safeguarding of Dublin Airport. Chapter 8 Dublin Airport of this Plan refers in more detail. In line with the land-use planning policy of the Dublin Airport LAP and to boost the connectivity offered by Dublin Airport, is contingent on:

• Continued protection of the core transport function of the Airport.
• Enhanced land-side access to Dublin Airport, particularly through public transport provision such as MetroLink and BusConnects.
• Implementation of the recommendations of the South Fingal Transport Study 2019.
• Careful land use management of land-side areas to focus on the current and future needs of the Airport as key infrastructure for National and Regional development.

6.5.9.2  Dublin Port

As a major transport and logistics hub, Dublin Port provides a direct trading route to the UK and Europe and is a port of national significance and a significant driver of economic development in the mid-east region. Fingal County Council supports the ongoing development of Dublin Port having regard to wider transport and infrastructural considerations for the Dublin region. This Plan provides policy objectives to manage the national road network to ensure ongoing efficient access for freight from all parts of Ireland to Dublin Port, including controlling inappropriate development near to, or that disproportionately impacts on, the national road network including the Dublin Tunnel, the motorway network and motorway interchanges.

6.5.9.3  The Dublin – Belfast Inter-City Rail Line

The Dublin to Belfast inter-city route provides a critical transport connection for the Dublin – Belfast Economic Corridor, supporting economic growth and competitiveness within this corridor. The Government’s All Island Strategic Rail Review will examine the rail network across the entire island of Ireland in partnership with Northern Ireland with the aim to enhance connectivity, regional accessibility and achieve faster speeds on rail lines between the major cities including Dublin and Belfast, including the potential to increase rail freight, while facilitating policy objectives, north and south, relating to sustainable mobility and growth and climate change objectives. Fingal County Council supports this review in recognition of the strategic importance of this rail corridor connecting Dublin and Belfast.

6.5.10  Roads Network

Road infrastructure retains an important position in the overall transportation network, catering for the movement of people and goods. Over the plan period, the challenge is to ensure that new developments do not add to congestion or saturation of the road network to the point of rendering the network inefficient. The County’s road network must be managed effectively in order to keep all road users interacting safely and efficiently while ensuring full accessibility and maintaining the economic competitiveness of the County in accordance with the robust policies and objectives set out in this chapter including supporting objectives in Chapter 14 Development Management Standards of this Plan.
 

6.5.10.1  National Roads

The primary purpose of the national road network is to provide strategic transport links between main centres of population and employment. Fingal County Council continues to maintain and protect the safety, capacity and efficiency of the strategic national road network including the M50 and M1 corridors in collaboration with TII and other relevant stakeholders. Local access to this strategic network will continue to be managed and restricted through the Development Management process to protect the ‘movement’ function of these national roads and to discourage use by local traffic for short trips. Fingal County Council will continue to collaborate with the NTA and TII towards the implementation of demand management measures on national routes. The M50 Demand Management Study recognises that traffic demand on the M50 is required to ensure that the M50 can perform its strategic function for the foreseeable future. The Council will continue to work with TII to support major improvements to the national road network and to maintain and protect the safety, capacity and efficiency of national roads and associated junctions in accordance with the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2012.

6.5.10.2  Regional/Local Roads

The regional and local road network provides important links between the towns and villages across the County and they supplement the national road network. Fingal County Council will continue to maintain, manage and operate the existing regional and local road network in an efficient and restrictive manner to protect the strategic function of the national road network as well as providing for high-quality walking and cycling connections where appropriate and access and priority for public transport routes. The Council’s proposals for development of the County’s transportation network are outlined in Table 6.3.

To deliver sustainable connectivity, all relevant departments within Fingal County Council will prepare an up-to-date review of recently passed green infrastructure/climate change policy objectives and incorporate into a sustainable strategy for the Swords Western Distributor Road and its catchment area. This review will include implementation recommendations and will involve consultation and engagement with key stakeholders, including CODEMA, EPA and resident's associations.

Table 6.3 Transportation Schemes

6.5.10.3  Roads and Streets Design

The design of streets in urban areas is guided by the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets 2019 (DMURS). In rural areas, the Council will apply best practice in terms of engineering and road safety, biodiversity, sustainable drainage and public realm design in order to balance the needs of road users with impact on the environment and the needs of other stakeholders. This Plan will support the implementation of DMURS principles for all new transportation and public realm schemes within the County.

6.5.11 Freight, Delivery and Servicing

The construction of additional homes, employment and educational facilities will result in increased movement of freight. There will also be a greater level of delivery and servicing activity due to economic activity and with the continued shift to online shopping. The RSES supports the need to develop a Regional Freight Strategy to accelerate the decarbonisation of the freight sector and reinforce the important role that the strategic rail and road (including TEN-T) network play in efficiently moving freight. Fingal County Council supports the development of this strategy in recognition of the need to decarbonise freight and the inter-regional nature of freight movements, especially as a result of increased activity to and from Dublin Airport and Dublin Port as well as increased development throughout Fingal and the mid-east region. It is also a key objective of the NPF and RSES to improve access to Dublin Airport and Dublin Port. The Government’s All Island Strategic Rail Review proposes an investigation into the feasibility of increasing rail freight on the rail network. Fingal County Council recognises and supports the potential that exists for the efficient use of the rail network to transport freight.

HGVs play a key role in moving goods throughout the Country including Fingal. HGV movement can have significant impacts on the operation of traffic, noise, air pollution and the safety of other road users, particularly within urban environments. Central areas of towns and villages are often unsuitable for heavy goods traffic. Restricting HGV movements through towns, villages and neighbourhoods contribute to the creation of a safe and friendly environment for cyclists and pedestrians through the recovery of street space and the reduction of conflicts between modes, however, this needs to be balanced with local business needs. Fingal will work with local businesses to achieve these restrictions in HGV movements including through initiatives such as Direct Vision Standard and HGV safety permits.

In order to maximise the efficiency and safety of servicing, deliveries and the operation of freight in the County and to minimise its associated negative road safety and environmental impacts, this Plan will:

• Support the development of a Regional Freight Strategy.
• Support and facilitate the implementation of targeted freight management measures such as the designation of specific freight routes and delivery periods at designated times of day.
• Support the reduction in the amount of ‘last mile trips’ being made by motorised vehicles and facilitate shared logistics hubs and the transition to zero-emission delivery vehicles such as cargo bikes or small electric vehicles delivering to shops and restaurants.
• Require Delivery Service Plans for major new developments.