Cross Avenue and Environs Road Safety Improvement Scheme

Report Following Non Statutory Public Consultation

Prepared by: .............................................................. Checked by: .........................................................................Mathew Richardson Robert KellyGraduate Engineer Associate Director

Approved by: ..............................................................Joe SeymourRegional Director

Rev No Comments Checked by Approved by

Date

1 Draft issue RK JS 15.04.162 Final report RK JS 19.04.16

AECOM, 4th Floor, Adelphi Plaza, George's Street Upper, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin

Job No 60443972 Reference Cross Avenue and Environs Road Safety Improvement Scheme Date Created 29/03/2016

This document has been prepared by AECOM Limited for the sole use of our client (the “Client”) and in accordance with generally accepted consultancy principles, the budget for fees and the terms of reference agreed between AECOM Limited and the Client. Any information provided by third parties and referred to herein has not been checked or verified by AECOM Limited, unless otherwise expressly stated in the document. No third party may rely upon this document without the prior and express written agreement of AECOM Limited.

1 Report Following Non Statutory Public Consultation.....................................................................................................11.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................................. 11.2 Purpose of this report..............................................................................................................................................21.3 Scheme Justification...............................................................................................................................................21.4 Summary of Proposed Works (placed on public display).......................................................................................31.5 Public Consultation................................................................................................................................................. 51.6 Main Theme Issues Raised in Public Consultation.................................................................................................51.7 Proposed changes to scheme following public consultation...................................................................................71.8 Next Steps/Programme of Work.............................................................................................................................7

Appendix A....................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Table of Contents

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1.1 IntroductionAECOM have been engaged by DLRCC to undertake a study of the area surrounding Cross Avenue (see Figure 1) and to develop a road safety improvement scheme that will reduce the impact of traffic on the area, making it a safer environment for all road users.

Figure 1.1 – Study area

The main objectives of the proposed scheme are as follows:

- Review safety conditions for all road users and recommend improvements to the area surrounding Cross Avenue in Dún Laoghaire;

- To enhance the public realm along Cross Avenue and its environs and maintain/protect the amenity of residents in the area.

- Incorporate the following specific objectives of the Dun Laoghaire Urban Framework Plan in the Cross Avenue and Environs Safety Scheme. These objectives include the following:

7. Provide a network of attractive urban spaces and public realm.

8. Improve and enhance existing visual amenity and streetscape within the Framework Plan area.

21.To undertake a Road User Audit and support the application of DMURS, together with environmental improvements, on Cross Avenue - (Old Victorian Street) and interconnecting streets.

22. To promote the expansion of 30 km/hr limit zones in Dún Laoghaire and Environs in accordance with best practise and speed guidance documents.

1 Report Following Non Statutory Public Consultation

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1.2 Purpose of this reportThis purpose of this report is to address feedback received following public consultation in relation to the scheme. The report will be structured in a manner whereby a response to the issues raised will be provided and any subsequent amendments to the scheme highlighted. The main recurring issues are addressed in Section 1.6 and the main amendments to the project are discussed in Section 1.7.

1.3 Scheme JustificationIn the past, significant work has been carried out in relation to the traffic management of Dún Laoghaire town and a number of changes have been introduced over the last 5-7 years. A report prepared by ILTP in April 2006 (Dún Laoghaire & Environs Traffic Management Plan) highlighted a number of issues and recommendations to improve the study area. Some of the issues raised in relation to the Cross Avenue area include:

Issue Raised ILTP Recommendation(s)

1 Rat running through residential areas such as Patrick Street, Cross Avenue & Library Road

Closure of Library Road to vehicular traffic south of the Bloomfield’s entrance.

Cross Avenue, one way eastbound on between Tivoli Terrace East and Mulgrave Street.

Mulgrave Street one way in opposite direction (southbound). Mulgrave Terrace remains Northbound.

Banning right turn from York Road to Tivoli Terrace South

2 Inconsistent route signage Coherent, comprehensive signing system through Dún Laoghaire and surrounds

3 Speeding 30 km/h speed limit

Table 1.1 - Issues & Recommendations from ILTP Report (2006)

The various recommendations were debated and considered at the Dún Laoghaire Area Committee Meeting in April 2007 and a public consultation was carried out. The results of the consultation were brought to the Area Committee in April 2008 and it was agreed to install the majority of the preferred options.

However, following negative feedback during the consultation a number of the recommendations were not installed. These recommendations included the introduction of a one way system along Cross Avenue and the closure of Library Road.

In 2013 a petition was received from residents of Cross Avenue and its environs raising their concerns about safety in the area and requested that the Council take action to improve road safety in the area. The issue has also been raised at the Area Committee meetings and the Council has committed to reviewing the area and making recommendations on how it could be improved.

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Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Development Plan 2016 – 2022The Development Plan for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County includes a number of objectives which are of relevance to the study area. Appendix 12 of the Plan outlines an Urban Framework Plan for Dún Laoghaire including the study area. It is a general objective of the Plan to ‘encourage greater footfall into the Town Centre from the surrounding villages and hinterland, building on a growing culture of cycling and walking, will help create a unique identity and ambience for Dún Laoghaire’. More specifically the Plan seeks to develop a pedestrian/cycle route through the Study area.

Further to this, it is also a stated & relevant objective of the Framework Plan ‘to identify and develop further corridors linking Dún Laoghaire Town Centre with emerging neighbourhoods in the immediate hinterland, including Honeypark and Mounttown. Further traffic management considerations of traffic flows, through Dún Laoghaire and Environs, would be subject to detailed traffic assessment which may include traffic modelling and options development’.

1.4 Summary of Proposed Works (placed on public display)The proposed scheme comprises a new one way system for vehicular traffic along Cross Avenue in the westbound direction from Patrick Street to Convent Road. This one way system will reduce the volume of through traffic and enhance road safety conditions for all road users, particularly residents who use the street. It will restrict accessibility for non-residents making rat-runs throughout the study area. The section of Cross Avenue between Patrick Street and Mulgrave Street and between Wolfe Tone Avenue and Library road will remain a two way system.

Other upgrades to the study area include:

- Increased footpath widths and improved road surface along Cross Avenue between Tivoli Terrace East and Wolf Tone Avenue; it is proposed to change the road surface type and introduce landscaping features such as trees along this stretch of Cross Avenue to promote a lower speed environment and enhance the sense of place associated with this central area.

- The provision of a raised table to reduce vehicle speeds and improve crossing points at the following Cross Avenue junctions: Convent Road, Patrick Street and Mulgrave Street.

- Staggered parking along Mulgrave Street, Patrick Street, Convent Road and Tivoli Terrace North, South and East to reduce vehicles speeds.

- Replacement of faded, damaged and misleading road signs throughout the study area.

- The implementation of a 30km/hour speed limit throughout the study area.

- The use of bollards to prevent HGVs and LGVs parking outside the Homevalue Hardware store and blocking the street and footpath on Patrick Street. A loading bay will be provided outside Homevalue Hardware on the opposite side of the road to provide additional parking spaces for HGVs and LGVs.

- The use of bollards to prevent illegal parking outside Veterinary Clinic and Adare House on Patrick Street and also HGVs overrunning kerbs.

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- Kerb builds outs at Cross Avenue junctions and along Mulgrave Street and Mulgrave Terrace to reduce vehicular speed.

- It is proposed to alter the layout on Convent Road/Convent Lane. Vehicles have been observed exiting Convent Lane and illegally travel southwards on Convent Road (a northbound one way road) to access the lane onto Patrick Street. Bollards or build outs will be provided to restrict this movement

- Improved pedestrian crossing facilities such as dropped kerbs (subject to suitability of existing levels) and tactile paving at key locations such as the following Cross Avenue junctions; Convent Road, Patrick Street and Mulgrave Street.

- One way system on Cross Avenue from its junction with Library Road westbound to Northcote Place and one way northbound on Northcote place. To facilitate traffic flow and maintain existing parking whilst also minimising the level of through traffic using these roads.

- The provision of a raised crossing point to assist the school warden and the public to cross at this location.

Library Road:

- A potential option to discourage rat running from Northcote Avenue could be the construction of a public realm scheme in the form of a ‘Pocket – Park’ or ‘Mini Holland’ scheme on Library Road. A ‘Mini-Holland’ or a pocket park is essentially a public space which is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists but restricts vehicle access through use of planting or street furniture. The proposal to implement such a scheme on Library Road south of the existing entrance to Bloomfield Shopping Centre carpark would eliminate through traffic using this route to access the shopping centre and provide an improved public realm area for the residents and public.

- The alternative solution to discourage the illegal right turning into the shopping centre carpark would involve the construction of realigned kerbing at the entrance to restrict this manoeuvre.

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1.5 Public Consultation A workshop was held with local Elected Members on 5 th October 2015. The workshop involved a brief presentation on existing issues in the study area followed by an open discussion on possible options.

A survey was distributed to residents and businesses in the study area on 15 th October 2015 to gain an understanding of local perception of the study area in terms of safety and existing traffic issues and to encourage suggestions and feedback.

Following this it was agreed to put the scheme on display as part of a Non Statutory Public Consultation process.

An information evening was held on a drop-in basis on February 12th 2016 from 4-7pm in the Dominican Primary School, Convent Road, Dún Laoghaire whereby plans illustrating the scheme went on display and members of the public were invited to comment or raise queries directly to DLRCC representatives and AECOM staff . The plans were also made available to view/download on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s website. The closing date for receipt of comments was Tuesday 1st March 2016.

A total of 57 submissions were received as part of this consultation process. One of these submissions was a group submission with 35 signatures.

There were no objections to the overall scheme in its entirety, but many of the comments focused on certain aspects of the scheme, which will be addressed below.

In particular, the proposed road closure on Library Road divided people’s opinions. 44% of residents were against the Library Road closure whereas 56% were in favour of this proposal.

1.6 Main Theme Issues Raised in Public Consultation All comments and responses to the issues raised in the public consultation are included in Appendix A. However, the principal recurring issues are addressed in this section.

Responses to the issues which arose most frequently are provided below.

I. Concern with regard to the impact of the proposals on parking spaces on Mulgrave Street and Mulgrave Terrace and the proposed staggered parking on these streets

Response: As the proposed staggered parking on Mulgrave Street and Mulgrave Terrace would require the loss of six parking spaces, this proposal has been reconsidered in response to submissions received. A similar traffic calming effect could be achieved through kerb buildouts at regular intervals along these streets (Please see drawing No 60443972 - SK 008).These kerb buildouts will result in the loss of two parking spaces. The removal of the planting and landscaping elements has allowed for more compact buildouts and reduces the number that would be removed by 4.

II. Against the idea of chicanes on Mulgrave Street and Mulgrave TerraceResponse: Chicanes typically narrow the road so that traffic has to slow to negotiate them. The proposed kerb buildouts discussed above (without the planting) would act as a traffic speed deterrent by narrowing the road in a similar fashion. The buildouts would be designed to allow a level of overrun by larger vehicles such as HGVs by dropping the kerb level slightly at the edge of the buildout. It should also be noted that chicanes are the preferred method of traffic calming in this scheme as vehicles can travel more quickly over ramps than they can negotiate chicane type features.

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III. Concern with regard to the proposed planters on Mulgrave StreetResponse: Concern has been raised that the proposed planters will lead to littering and the concealment of hazardous objects. Overall, the idea of more trees throughout the study area was well received But if the alternative build outs are provided along this area, there will not be sufficient space for planting

IV. Concern with regard to the limited number of parking spaces on Tivoli Terrace North and the proposed staggered parking on this street.

Response: The existing nature of the road alignment on Tivoli Terrace North (chicane bend) provides a traffic calming feature and it is proposed that the staggered parking is removed from the scheme

V. Against the general loss of parking spacesResponse: Where possible the loss of parking has been limited and spaces will only be removed for the provision of traffic calming features where necessary.

VI. Against parking on both sides of Cross Avenue at Northcote AvenueResponse: Making this road one way will allow for sufficient space for vehicles to park on both sides of the road.

VII. Against one-way system on Cross AvenueResponse: If the scheme is to proceed the emergency services will be informed so that they can plan their journeys accordingly. Please note: no comments were received from the emergency services during the consultation

VIII. Against HGVs being directed down Mulgrave Terrace to reach the Homevalue Hardware Store on Patrick Street

Response: Mulgrave Terrace is more suitable to carry large vehicles as the geometrical constraints along Tivoli Terrace East particularly at Cross Avenue makes it the less suitable optionSee Figure 2.

Figure 1.2 HGVs travelling from Tivoli Terrace East to Patrick Street

Cross Avenue Tivoli Terrace East

Patrick Street

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1.7 Proposed changes to scheme following public consultationBased on the feedback received at the public consultation and the submissions received afterwards, the following changes to the scheme are under consideration:

As per response III - Parking will not be staggered on Mulgrave Terrace and Mulgrave Street and planters will not be introduced.

As per response I & II - Kerb buildouts are proposed along Mulgrave Street instead of staggered parking As per response IV - Parking will not be staggered on Tivoli Terrace North The proposed parking spaces on the north side of the road along Cross Avenue just before the Library Road

junction are to be moved to the south side of the road (as per existing situation) – See Figure 1.3 below. This is to avoid blocking access to the parking lot in between houses 16 and 17 on Cross Avenue.

Figure 1.3 Proposed on-street parking on Cross Avenue which would have been blocking access to a small parking lot

1.8 Next Steps/Programme of WorkIt is intended to proceed with the proposed changes to Cross Avenue and Northcote Avenue/Place initially. These works could potentially be scheduled in Summer of 2016 when traffic volumes are lowest.

Given the support for the closure of Library Road it is proposed to wait until the emerging policy on road restrictions has been developed through the Transportation SPC.

Proposed parking

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Appendix A

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A response to the issues less frequently raised in the public consultation is contained below.

I. Concern with regard to the limited number of parking spaces on Cross AvenueResponse: Refer to Response V in section 1.6.

II. Against the idea of staggered parking on Cross AvenueResponse: Staggered parking will act as a traffic calming measure on Cross Avenue to deter high vehicular speeds and rat-runs.

III. Would like to see more trees in the study areaResponse: It is proposed to plant trees on the following streets; Tivoli Terrace East, Tivoli Terrace South, Cross Avenue and Mulgrave Terrace.

IV. Concern with regard to the limited number of parking spaces on Cross AvenueResponse: Refer to Response V in section 1.6.

V. Thinks that parking should be paid on Northcote Avenue and Cross AvenueResponse: This suggestion will be considered by Dún Laoghaire Council.

VI. Thinks delineation lines /marked spaces should be providedResponse: This suggestion will be considered by Dún Laoghaire Council.

VII. Would like speed signs on Wolf Tone Avenue Response: Dún Laoghaire Council are proposing to introduce 30kph speed limits throughout the County. Once the Speed Limit Bye-Laws are adopted signage will be installed at suitable locations. The study area is proposed for a 30kph speed limit as part of this review.

VIII. Would like traffic calming measures on York RoadResponse: York Road is outside of the study area for this project which relates to the residential area only.

IX. Would like bicycle parking / storageResponse: Bicycle parking is not within the scope of this scheme but could be considered separately

X. Would like bicycle paths Response: The speed and volume of vehicles all for the integration of cycling on road as per the recommendations in the National Cycle Manual

XI. Thinks speed on Tivoli Terrace North should be reduced to 30kphResponse: Refer to Response IV above.

XII. Would like a raised table on Library RoadResponse: Refer to section 1.8. Once the policy on road restrictions is completed the closure of Library Road will be progressed

XIII. Speed ramps and a lower speed limit are essential on Mulgrave Street.Response: The provision of kerb buildouts on Mulgrave Street and a raised table at the Cross Avenue / Mulgrave Street junction should be sufficient measures to reduce traffic speeds on Mulgrave Street.

Appendix A