Banbridge Newry & Mourne Plan 2015

Strategic Plan Framework: Transportation

The movement of people and the efficient distribution of goods and services are essential to the functioning of any area. Good communications are, therefore, important to the local economy and to attract inward investment. Good transport links also connect people socially and provide access to leisure and recreational opportunities.

There are comprehensive networks of transport infrastructure and services within the Plan Area. There is an extensive footpath system in most of the designated settlements. A number of rural recreational footpaths and elements of the National Cycle Network pass through the area. Public transport provision consists of rail services on the Belfast to Dublin line and a network of urban and rural bus services including inter-urban express routes. There is an extensive network of roads ranging from major strategic routes to minor rural roads. Additionally, the port of Warrenpoint is located in the Plan Area.

Continuing growth in road transport and its consequential environmental impacts in terms of, for example, air quality, tranquillity, and impact on landscapes and habitats present a major challenge to the objective of sustainable development. Unmanaged traffic growth also has social and economic consequences, such as congestion and the effect on residents' quality of environment, and the reduced attractiveness of town centres as retail and service destinations.

The Plan considers how the location and nature of development affects the amount and nature of travel, and how the pattern of development is influenced by transport infrastructure and policies.

Regional Policy Context

The 'Northern Ireland Transport Policy Statement: - Moving Forward'(November 1998), signalled a desire to move away from a transportation system dominated by the private car to a more balanced and integrated system, in which public transport together with cycling and walking would play a greater role.

This approach is incorporated into the RDS which provides the spatial framework for transportation in Northern Ireland. It sets out a longer-term vision for transportation which is:-

"to have a modern, sustainable, safe transportation system which benefits society, the economy, and the environment and which actively contributes to social inclusion and everyone's quality of life".

The RDS provides a number of SPGs and measures for a new approach to transportation in Northern Ireland, which are as follows:

• develop a Regional Strategic Transport Network (RSTN) based on key transport corridors, to enhance accessibility to regional facilities and services (SPG-TRAN 1);
• extend travel choice for all sections of the community by enhancing public transport (SPG-TRAN 2); and
• change the regional travel culture and contribute to healthier lifestyles (SPG-TRAN 4).

The RDS also requires the integration of land use and transportation through:

• the development of land use patterns which contribute to a much better range of travel choices for all and reduce the need to travel (SPG-TRAN 3).

An integral part of the RDS was the preparation of a Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS) to cover a 10-year period from 2002-2012. The RTS was approved by the Northern Ireland Assembly in July 2002. Its purpose is to support the RDS and to make a significant contribution towards achieving the longer-term vision for transportation set out in the RDS. Implementation of the RTS will be achieved through three transport plans, covering the RSTN, the Belfast Metropolitan Area and the remainder of Northern Ireland respectively.

The RSTN is defined in the RDS and comprises the complete rail network, five key transport corridors (KTCs), four Link Corridors, the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Corridors and the remainder of the trunk road network. Those elements of the RSTN within the Plan Area are:

• A1 (part of the Eastern Seaboard KTC);
• A28 (part of a Link Corridor);
• A27 (a trunk road);
• A2 from Newry to Warrenpoint (a trunk road); and
• Belfast to Dublin Railway Line.

PPS 13 - Transportation and Land Use, flows directly from the Strategic Policy Guidelines within the RDS. Its primary objective is to integrate land use planning and transport by:

• promoting sustainable transport choices;
• promoting accessibility for all; and
• reducing the need to travel, especially by private car.

PPS 3 - Access, Movement and Parking, sets out regional planning policies for vehicular and pedestrian access, transport assessment, the protection of transport routes and parking.

Supplementary Planning Guidance is contained in DCAN 15 (2nd Edition): Vehicular Access Standards.

Transport Plans / Transport Studies

Implementation of the RTS in the Plan Area will be through the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan (RSTNTP) and the Sub Regional Transport Plan (SRTP).

The RSTNTP, published by DRD in March 2005, contains proposals for the maintenance, management and development of the RSTN. The proposals include schemes for the improvement of transport infrastructure and improvements to public

transport services. Significant schemes are summarised, by mode, below and those with land use implications are detailed in Volumes 2 and 3 of the Plan.

The draft SRTP was published by DRD in March 2006 for consultation. It deals with transportation infrastructure and services, within the Plan Area, not included in the RSTNTP.

Both the Plan and the SRTP are informed by Local Transport Studies that have been undertaken for Newry, Banbridge, Warrenpoint and Kilkeel. These studies consider the needs of the area in terms of provision for walking, cycling and public transport in addition to traffic and parking. The key findings of the studies are contained in the Transport Technical Supplement.

The SRTP contains further transportation measures and proposals that were not appropriate for inclusion in the Plan. These include a variety of schemes which have no land use implications.

Walking and Cycling

Most journeys involve some walking and in urban areas, walking is an important alternative to the car. Cycling is an economical, environmentally friendly and healthy means of transport that can provide a realistic alternative to the car for short journeys.

The approach to walking and cycling set out in the Plan is informed by 'Walking Northern Ireland: An Action Plan' (Northern Ireland Walking Forum / DRD, December 2003) and the 'Northern Ireland Cycling Strategy' (DRD, June 2000).

The Plan provides for the enhancement of walking and cycling networks through the Key Site Requirements for many of the zonings and development opportunity sites in Volumes 2 and 3 of the Plan.

National Cycle Network routes 9 and 93 pass through the Plan Area and Sustrans intend to extend and improve these routes.

The SRTP makes further provision for walking and cycling within the Plan Area, such as greater priority for pedestrians on local roads, Quality Walking Routes / Networks and development of the existing cycle network. The SRTP also targets improved integration between walking and cycling and public transport through better links to stations and stops and the provision of cycle stands.

Public Transport

The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, under the 'Translink' brand name, operates most rail and bus services within the Plan Area.

The Belfast to Dublin railway line runs through the Plan Area with stations at Newry, Scarva and Poyntzpass. The RSTNTP proposed a new/upgraded railway station in Newry with associated park and ride provision. Planning permission for this has been granted.

The RTS identified the need to improve public transport travel opportunities by providing new bus services in urban and rural areas. Inter-urban express bus services link Newry and Banbridge to Belfast, Dublin and other main towns. Local town bus services operate in the larger settlements and further services operate in rural areas.

The RSTNTP proposes a new bus station in Banbridge, an accessible (bus) docking point in Dromore and dedicated park and ride facilities at Newry Bus Station. The SRTP makes further provision for bus transportation within the Plan Area. Such provision includes the introduction of networks of high frequency radial, cross-town and orbital services in urban areas and innovative "demand responsive services" in rural areas.

Some essential services in the rural area, such as Group Transport and Door - to - Door Transport, are provided by Community Transport Partnerships funded through the Rural Transport Fund.

Specific public transport schemes are, where appropriate, detailed in Volumes 2 and 3 of the Plan and shown on the relevant maps.

Highways

The RDS emphasised the importance of improving connections between regional gateways, cross-border links and the RSTN especially the Key and Link Transport corridors.

Significant Strategic Road Improvements (SRIs) comprising dual-carriageway and grade separated junctions are proposed on the A1 Belfast to Dublin road (a Key Transport Corridor) and a widened single carriageway is proposed on the A28 Newry to Armagh road (a Link Corridor) to provide a safe guaranteed overtaking opportunity. These schemes are proposed in the RSTNTP.

A Newry Southern Bypass is proposed as a long-term SRI to improve the link from the A1 to the A2 Warrenpoint road and consequently provide a better connection from Warrenpoint Port to the Eastern Seaboard KTC and provide Newry City Centre with further relief from through traffic.

A number of new non-strategic road schemes are proposed in Newry, Banbridge, Gilford and Kilkeel. These are identified in the Local Transport Studies contained in the Transport Technical Supplement and are, where appropriate, included in the SRTP. The SRTP also includes other road improvement schemes within the Plan Area.

Highway transportation schemes are, where appropriate, detailed in Volumes 2 and 3 of the Plan and shown on the relevant maps.

Parking

Good quality secure parking is important to maintain the vitality and viability of town centres, and to enable retail and leisure uses to flourish. Management of the level and type of car parking can be used as a means of reducing levels of traffic and promoting public transport, cycling and walking as alternatives to the private car.

An effective form of management is to ensure that short-stay spaces are available in those car parks and streets convenient to town centres. This can be achieved through the use of charging for both on-street and off-street spaces. Park and share sites are proposed adjacent to the A1 at Banbridge, Sheepbridge and Cloghogue. These are proposed in the RSTNTP. The SRTP contains further measures for the provision and management of car parking within the Plan Area. Car parking proposals are, where appropriate, detailed in Volumes 2 and 3 of the Plan. Further information on parking is contained in the Transport Technical Supplement.

Seaports

Warrenpoint Port is located in the southern part of the Plan Area, 10km south of Newry, at the head of Carlingford Lough. The port has daily scheduled freight ferry sailings to Heysham in NW England and a diverse range of further services to continental Europe with a twice weekly container service to Rotterdam, a weekly container and general cargo service to Norway, Sweden and Denmark and regular sailings to the Baltic. Trade includes the importation of timber, steel, animal feed, block stone and paper.

The Eastern Seaboard KTC provides direct access from the Plan Area to other major ports on the East Coast of Ireland at Larne, Belfast, Dublin and Rosslare. These ports provide many passenger, car and freight services to Great Britain, Continental Europe and beyond.

Airports

There are no airports located within the Plan Area. Belfast International Airport is 50km north of Banbridge; George Best Belfast City Airport is 50km north east of Banbridge and Dublin Airport is 100km south of Newry. These airports provide a range of domestic, European and long haul destinations.

Protected Routes

PPS 3 - Access, Movement and Parking contains regional planning policy in relation to the designated Protected Routes Network, which is to restrict access onto selected roads. Allowance is also made to permit development plans to prepare local policies, containing further access restrictions, for certain stretches of protected route.

The A1 is the principal north-south strategic route connecting Belfast to Dublin; it experiences high volumes of traffic, accommodates vehicles travelling at speed and has a history of road traffic accidents. It is therefore considered appropriate and desirable to apply a more restrictive policy on the provision of new accesses to that contained in PPS 3.

The Protected Routes are identified in Volumes 2 and 3 of the Plan and shown on the relevant settlement maps.

Disused Transport Routes

PPS 3 - Access, Movement and Parking contains regional planning policy in relation to the protection of disused transport routes, which is to prevent development that would prejudice their future reuse for transport or recreational purposes. The Plan Area contains a number of disused rail and tramway track beds and the disused Newry Canal. Those sections of route with potential for future use are identified in Volumes 2 and 3 of the Plan. The potential of these for the provision of road lines, public transport routes, cycle or walking routes will be assessed during the Plan period.

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