1.11 Transportation

Closed6 Dec, 2021, 00:01 - 23 Feb, 2022, 17:01

1.11 Transportation

The development of an integrated transport system with focus on walking cycling and public transport, will contribute to environmental sustainability, social cohesion and promote economic progress. The development of a Transport and Mobility Plan for Tralee Town is a key objective to identify future projects to increase levels of walking and cycling, access for all and where possible increased use of public transport. The provision of smarter travel solutions to encourage a modal shift towards sustainable mobility is aligned with the NPF National Strategic Outcome 4 Sustainable Mobility.

1.11.1 Tralee Transport Strategy and Mobility Plan

Kerry County Council is committed to developing a Transport and Mobility Plan for Tralee Town consistent with national policy and design guidelines.

Tralee Transport Strategy and Mobility Plan Objectives

It is an objective of the Council to:

TR 97

Facilitate, in a sustainable manner, the   proposed   traffic   management   measures, as contained in the Tralee Transport Strategy 2011.

TR 98

Develop a Transport and Mobility Plan in conjunction with all relevant stakeholders for Tralee Town.

1.11.2 Active Travel

Cycling and walking routes not only facilitate leisure and recreational use but have significant potential to serve as commuter routes providing access to places of work, school and other destinations. Kerry County Council is committed to developing cycling and walking infrastructure consistent with its Transport and Mobility Plan.

Key to this is improving connectivity with the construction of Cycle lanes, Wayfinding/ Green linkages, Safety School Access and promote Park and Stride through a necklace of carparks with strong pedestrian permeability and links to the town centre. Improvements shall be facilitated in the following areas;

  • Town Centre laneway upgrade
  • Parking strategy
  • Wayfinding
  • School accesses
  • Green linkages
  • Smarter Travel Cycleways / walkways
  • Safe Routes to Schools

Kerry County Council supports the Safe Routes to School Programme which has been announced by An Taisce Green Schools (ATGS) and advanced through the DoT Active Travel Programme.

1.11.2.1 Greenways

Tralee is in a very advantageous location to capitalise on the growth of cycling tourism. The future will see it potentially become the major Greenway Hub of the South-West where the proposed South Kerry, Killarney and Dingle Greenways will eventually join the Fenit and North Kerry Greenways. Future potential also exists in the development of a “blueway” and coastal trails from Tralee to Blennerville and onto The Spa and Fenit to tie in with the Greenways.

Active Travel and Greenways Objectives

It is an objective of the Council to:

TR 99

Develop and promote a more cycle and pedestrian friendly network and ancillary infrastructure throughout Tralee. Developments in urban areas shall have regard to the ‘National Cycling Manual’ (June 2011) –National Transport Authority, the National Cycle Policy Framework, 2009-2020 or subsequent updates and the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets.

TR 100

Facilitate the completion of works identified in the Tralee Transport Strategy 2011 and the development of a cycling network strategy with ancillary infrastructure for Tralee Town further to environmental assessment.

TR 101

Facilitate the sustainable development and promotion of the North Kerry Greenway where it passes through Tralee Town to Blennerville and The Spa and its link to the Tralee-Fenit Greenway.

TR 102

Complete the sustainable development of the 6km cycle path from Forge Cross to Blennerville Village, linking the Munster Technological University, Tralee to Blennerville via the Town Centre as per Tralee Active Travel Plan.

TR 103

Facilitate the development of the Tralee-Fenit Greenway in compliance with the Strategy for the Future Development of Greenways (DTTAS, 2017).

TR 104

Further sustainably develop the Tralee - Spa - Fenit Blueway to enhance wider participation in sustainable outdoor recreational activities, having regard to environmental designations in the area.

TR 105

Facilitate the sustainable development of the Tralee Greenway – Blueway link, having regard to environmental designations in the area.

TR 106

Facilitate the development of the Tralee town to Ballyseedy Wood greenway.

TR 107

Connect existing and future residential developments to completed and planned greenways.

1.11.3 Roads & Infrastructure

Kerry County Council shall facilitate a Transport and Mobility Plan that sustainably, economically and inclusively benefits Tralee. In order to facilitate the emergence of a compact, diverse and resilient town, Kerry County Council acknowledges the need to increase the town’s permeability and accessibility to alternative and more sustainable modes of transport. Therefore, this plan facilitates the transition of Tralee to become an exemplar of the 10-minute town concept advocated by the RSES (Accessibility & Framework Report 2020) (RPO 176).

It is an objective to promote and attain sustainable compact settlements with the “10-minute” town concepts, whereby, a range of community facilities and services are accessible in short walking and cycle timeframes from homes or are accessible by high quality public transport services by connecting people to larger scaled settlements delivering these services. The council will also ensure that decision making in relation to new infrastructure for improved connectivity is informed by an appropriate level of environmental assessment.

Roads & Infrastructure Objectives

It is an objective of the Council to:

TR 108

Facilitate the enhancement of Tralee as a 10-minute town.

TR 109

Facilitate improvement of existing footpaths and road network and support future projects for footpaths and roads with the provision of amenity areas at appropriate locations.

TR 110

Facilitate the sustainable development of Northern Relief Road and Western Distributor Road and the upgrade of the Tralee to Fenit road (R558).

TR 111

Complete the Clash to Ballymullen link road.

1.11.4 Public Transport

Kerry County Council is committed to supporting improved public transport infrastructure consistent with the Tralee Transport Strategy 2011 and the Tralee Transport and Mobility Plan.

Public Transport Objectives

It is an objective of the Council to:

TR 112

Liaise with NTA, Bus Eireann and private Bus companies to provide bus set-down areas, bus shelters and bicycle parking at strategic locations in the town centre area.

TR 113

Promote the provision of a comprehensive local bus service within Tralee Town.

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PROPOSAL: In section 1.11.1 Tralee Transport Strategy and Mobility Plan, there is specific reference to pursuing measures identified in the Tralee Transportation Strategy 2011. We propose that the...