PROPOSAL: Modify section 1.1.3 Vision and strategy, subsection Plan for Sustainable Growth, point 5 “Sustainably strengthen the settlement through investment in key pieces of infrastructure such as the completion of the northern relief road and additional parking facilities for locals and visitors alike.” to reflect the need to move to actual sustainable transport modes such as rail and active travel. Suggested wording: “Sustainably strengthen the settlement through investment in key infrastructure such as a network of high-quality, interconnected cycle paths, enhanced footpaths & walkways, bicycle parking and high quality pedestrian measures at road junctions. Repurpose road space in the urban core for use for active travel modes and seek to locate car parking at the edges of the town to enable sustainable travel in the town for locals and visitors alike. For commuter and inter-county travel, the development of increased capacity for rail services, bus stops and bus priority will be supported.”
RATIONALE: The prevalence of the private motor vehicle in the urban core of the settlement is preventing the development of active travel in the town. Without specific intent to re-prioritise valuable road space for active travel, the network will become disjointed and less attractive. The existing wording appears to proport that the development of a road and more car parking is sustainable when it is not. More roads and space to store private cars induces demand which is a net-negative for any settlement. In addition, specific support should be included for rail and bus service enhancement.
PROPOSAL: Strengthen Tralee Town Strategic Objective TR 10 to specifically reference the need to re-prioritise road space to enable active travel. Suggested wording: “Improve inclusivity, accessibility, permeability, and connectivity throughout the town and where appropriate with the town to adjoining amenities for alternative more sustainable modes of transport, including cycling and walking by reprioritising road space from motor vehicles to active modes.”
RATIONALE: The priority in current road and street design is at odds with the Council’s stated hierarchy of road users. This must be reflected across all goals in the document.