Northern Area Plan 2016
Strategic Plan Framework: Transportation Transportation Strategy (Page 1 of 2)
The Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan (RSTN TP) is currently being prepared based on the guidance set out in the RDS and RTS. It will set out how the RTS will be implemented on the RSTN, which comprises the complete rail network, five Key Transport Corridors (KTC’s), four Link Corridors, the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Corridors, and the remainder of the trunk road network. The Plan will consist of proposals for the maintenance, management and development of this transport network over the RTS period.
The road element of the RSTN within the Northern Plan area includes parts of:
- the A6 North Western Key Transport Corridor linking Belfast to Londonderry via Dungiven;
- the A26/A37/A2 Northern Key Transport Corridor linking Belfast to Londonderry via Ballymoney, Coleraine and Limavady; and
- the A29 Link Corridor linking Newry to Coleraine via Maghera.
The RTS envisages significant investment in Strategic Road Improvements (SRIs), focussed on removing bottlenecks on the key network where lack of capacity is causing serious congestion and by providing bypasses to towns situated on the RSTN, relieving the effects of heavy through traffic. The RSTN Transport Plan identifies SRI proposals in several categories:
- schemes that can be implemented within the funding envisaged by the RTS for the 10-year period up to and including 2015;
- widened single carriageway schemes to improve overtaking opportunities on single carriageway sections of the RSTN; and
- Park and Share schemes providing formal parking spaces at strategic locations on the RSTN to encourage car-sharing.
The Sub-Regional Transport Plan (SRTP), covering the Rural and Other Urban Areas, will deal with the main transportation issues outside the Belfast Metropolitan Area (BMA). It is being developed in association with local development plans, and is expected to be published by 2006.
During the Plan period, a number of Local Transport and Safety Measures schemes will be identified for implementation within the Plan area. These schemes, which will be in line with the Regional Transportation Strategy, will further enhance the area through better management of traffic, traffic calming measures, collision reduction schemes, provision of facilities for the disabled, and for improvements to the road, cycle, and footway networks. Implementation of identified schemes will be subject to the availability of resources within the SRTP.
Public Transport
The Regional Transportation Strategy 2002-2012 (RTS) identified the need to improve public transport travel opportunities by providing new services in urban and rural areas. For rural areas this is likely to be achieved through the introduction of innovative “demand responsive services ” and in towns through a network of radial, cross-town and orbital services operated at frequent intervals. Both initiatives will be progressed through “strategically important pilot projects” which are expected to commence in the Autumn of 2004. The result of the pilot schemes and the financial resources available will dictate the extent of any future rollout of these services.
A Railways Review Group (RRG) comprising officials from the Department for Regional Development, the Department of Finance and Personnel, and senior management from Translink, was established in July 2003 to consider the benefits and costs of future investment needs of the Northern Ireland Railway network. A consultation document was issued on 19 May 2004, and the outcome of the process will inform the Spending Review upon which investment and future projects in relation to the entire rail network province-wide, including the Northern Area Plan region, will depend.
Efforts will be made where possible to improve access and parking at railway stations and to co-ordinate public transport activities.
Opportunities may exist to improve facilities and parking at other bus and rail stations as resources permit. In particular, the provision of additional car parking for the exclusive use of passengers at Coleraine Transport Centre will be investigated.
Park & Share/Ride
In accordance with the vision and guidance within the RDS and the RTS and in order to encourage car sharing and modal shift from private car to bus/coach, locations offering potential as Park and Share/Ride sites along key commuter corridors are identified in the Plan. These sites will be subject to feasibility studies to determine their suitability for development, taking account of factors such as location, site availability, bus/coach service capacity and frequency.
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