Between November 2018 and May 2019 the National Transport Authority (NTA) carried out the first round of public consultation on initial proposals for the Emerging Preferred Routes of sixteen Core Bus Corridors across the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). During this consultation phase thirteen thousand submissions were received in total. A Consultation Submissions Report for each corridor is available to view and download on our website www.busconnects.ie.
All of the submissions were reviewed and considered as part of the design preparation for the Preferred Route for each corridor. We have amended our initial proposals to address some of the issues raised in submissions including incorporating suggestions and recommendations from local residents, community groups and stakeholders. We are now publishing the Preferred Routes for sixteen Core Bus Corridors and commencing a second round of public consultation.
This document is one of a series of sixteen, each dedicated to a single core bus corridor. The document provides a written description of the Preferred Route from start to finish with supporting maps and includes information on revisions made, if any, from the initial emerging preferred route.
The original brochures detailing each Emerging Preferred Routes, published last year, are available to view and download on our website www.busconnects.ie. These brochures contain information on the process for impacted property owners, the project timelines and steps required for statutory planning application.
BusConnects is the National Transport Authority's programme to greatly improve bus services. It is a key part of the Government's polices to improve public transport and address climate change in Dublin and other cities. It is included within the following Government policy strategies:
Dublin is growing and needs a bus network that works for a developing city. The aim of BusConnects is to deliver an enhanced bus system that is better for the city, its people and the environment. BusConnects is designed to provide a better, more reliable and more efficient bus service for everyone.
This project will deliver journey time savings of up to 40-50% on corridors. Dedicated bus and cycle lanes can significantly increase bus travel speeds and reliability.
Tackling the challenges of climate change is a priority for Ireland and moving more people to public transport is a key component of the solution.
More bus shelters, with seating where possible, new footpaths and better information at bus stops, will make using the fully accessible bus fleet easier for all to use, including the elderly and mobility impaired.
This project will see the provision of much needed cycling facilities around the city region with over 200kms of high quality cycling facilities provided.
Along each route, improvements and enhancements will be made to footpaths, walkways and pedestrian crossings. Funding and investment for local urban realms with additional landscaping and outdoor amenities will be provided.
Part of the overall BusConnects Programme is to create 16 radial core bus corridors (CBC). A CBC is an existing road with bus priority so that buses can operate efficiently, reliably and punctually. This generally means full length dedicated bus lanes on both sides of the road from start to finish of each corridor or other measures to ensure that buses are not delayed in general traffic congestion. The bus lanes will be alongside segregated cycle lanes/tracks where feasible and general traffic.
A segregated cycle track is a separate selection of the road dedicated for cycling only. This space will generally be isolated from other vehicular traffic by a physical kerb. Where is it not physically possible to have segregated cycle lanes/tracks there will be the option of quiet roads and shared cycling on reduced speed roads for cyclists.
The NTA published outline plans for each of the 16 CBCs in a non-statutory public consultation process in 2018/2019. The options were called Emerging Preferred Routes (EPR), in some cases with multiple sub-options, to inform the public of the likely layout of the roadway with the necessary CBC infrastructure in place. They included possible impacts on front gardens, and likely changes to how traffic will operate to facilitate bus priority.
Following consideration of the public submissions about the 16 EPR's, the core bus corridor proposals have been reviewed and amended. They are now being presented as the Preferred Route Option (PRO) and are subject to a second round of non-statutory public consultation.
They are not final proposals as they are subject to further consideration from the second round of public consultation and also subsequent examination in the context of environmental impact assessment.
A Bus Gate is a sign-posted short length of stand-alone bus lane. This short length of road is restricted exclusively to buses, taxis and cyclists plus emergency vehicles. It facilitates bus priority by removing general through traffic along the overall road where the bus gate is located. General traffic will be directed by signage to divert away to other roads before they arrive at the bus gate.
Signal Control Priority uses traffic signals to enable buses to get priority ahead of single lane road sections, but it is only effective for short distances. This typically arises where the bus lane cannot continue due to obstructions on the roadway. An example might be where a road has pinch-points where it narrows due to existing buildings or structures that cannot be demolished to widen the road to make space for a bus lane. It works through the use of traffic signal controls (typically at junctions) where the bus lane and general traffic lane must merge ahead and share the road space for a short distance until the bus lane recommences downstream. The general traffic will be stopped at the signal to allow the bus pass through the narrow section first and when the bus has passed the general trafficwill then be allowed through the lights.
A Toucan Crossing is a roadway crossing designed to enable both pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road with purposefully designed signal controls.
Where CBC roadway widths cannot facilitate cyclists without significant impact on bus priority, alternative cycle routes are explored for short distances away from the CBC bus route. Such offline options may include directing cyclists along streets with minimal general traffic other than car users who live on the street.
They are called Quiet Streets due to the low amount of general traffic and are deemed suitable for cyclists sharing the roadway with the general traffic without the need to construct segregated cycle tracks or painted cycle lanes. The Quiet Street treatment would involve appropriate advisory signage for both the general road users and cyclists.
Urban Realm refers to the everyday street spaces that are used by people to cross, shop, socialise, play, and use for activities such as walking, exercise or commute to/from work. The Urban Realm encompasses all streets, squares, junctions, and other rights-of-way, whether in residential, commercial or civic use. When well-designed and laid out with care in a community setting, it enhances the every-day lives of residents and those passing through. It typically relates to all open-air parts of the built environment where the public has free access. It would include seating, trees, planting and other aspects to enhance the experience for all.
The Core Bus Corridor (CBC) commences at Clongriffin DART Station, and is routed via Clongriffin Main Street which will be extended to join the Malahide Road at a new junction to the north of Clare Hall junction. The CBC is then routed via Malahide Road to the junction with Marino Mart/Fairview. From here the CBC ties into a separate project, Clontarf to City Centre Cycle Scheme which is currently being proposed by Dublin City Council.
The following paragraphs will describe each section of the CBC in more detail, identifying the key design revisions which have been incorporated into the design since the publication of the Emerging Preferred Route (EPR) in November 2018.
At Clongriffin DART Station, it is proposed to retain the existing pedestrian, bus stop and bus turnaround facilities. It is intended to route buses through Clongriffin Main Street, no works are proposed for this existing section. Existing bus and cycle infrastructure will be maintained. It is proposed to extend the Main Street between the Hole in the Wall Road and Belmayne Avenue. A bus and cycle only section will be provided at this junction. General traffic will not be permitted to use this access, access to Main Street for general traffic will remain unchanged through Belmayne.
The CBC is then proposed to be routed along the Malahide Road to the junction with the R105 at Marino Mart/Fairview. The following junctions are intended to be upgraded to provide bus priority and enhanced pedestrian and cyclist facilities:
Between Clarehall Avenue and Blunden Drive, a single bus lane and two general traffic lanes will be maintained in each direction.
It is proposed to upgrade the existing roundabout on Blunden Drive to a fully signalised junction. This modification will involve the removal of some median hedging and trees, however there will be compensatory planting at the junction.
Between Blunden Drive and Greencastle Road the proposed Toucan Crossing has been relocated to align more directly with the pedestrian and segregated cycle track linking Ayrefield Drive and Malahide Road
Between Tonlegee Road junction and Gracefield Road junction, it is intended to retain the single bus and general traffic lane in each direction. A northbound segregated cycle track will be provided in the area between the Malahide Road and Brookville Park. It is proposed that southbound cyclists are redirected onto the adjoining St. Brendan's Avenue using a Quiet Street Treatment. Cyclists can then re-join the Malahide Road at Gracefield Road.
Between the Gracefield Road and Clontarf Road junctions, it is proposed to upgrade the following junctions on the Malahide Road:
Between Gracefield Road junction and Killester Avenue, it is intended to provide a continuous bus lane with a single general traffic lane in each direction. Segregated cycle tracks and footpath facilities will be maintained through this section. To accommodate this, limited areas of land take will be required from private properties. The indicative extents of this land take are included in the Appendix of this brochure. The EPR indicated that between Kilmore Road junction and Killester Avenue the western cycle track and footpath would impact on the existing wall and trees. It is now proposed to move the western cycle track and footpath inside the green area to minimise any impact on the existing wall and trees.
Between Killester Avenue junction and Collins Avenue, it is proposed to maintain the road cross-section as described in the previous section. The existing road between these junctions requires widening to accommodate the necessary lane widths and bus stop facilities. The EPR indicated that land take may be required from the surrounding green space in Thorndale Grove and Mayfield Park. The amended proposal indicates that land take will only be employed to enable the retention of the mature trees and heritage wall. Between Mayfield Park and Collins Avenue it is proposed to utilise some land take from private properties. The indicative extents of this land take are included in the Appendix of this brochure.
Along the Malahide Road between the Collins Avenue junction and the Griffith Avenue junction, it is intended to provide a continuous bus lane with a single general traffic lane in each direction. Currently, there are no continuous segregated cycle tracks in each direction on this section. This issue is proposed to be addressed by road widening works which will involve land take between Donnycarney Church and Clancarthy Road, Clontarf Golf Club and Bowling Club grounds and Nazareth House. The indicative extents of this land take are included in the Appendix of this brochure.
The proposed works may also require the removal of existing trees currently located on traffic islands or between the existing road and footpath, although opportunities to enhance the streetscape have been identified as part of this review.
Between the Griffith Avenue junction and the Clontarf Road junction, it is proposed to continue the bus and general traffic lanes in each direction. There are currently only three traffic lanes on this section of road. To facilitate the new four lane arrangement, it is intended to utilise limited land take from adjacent properties at the following locations:
It is proposed to provide an alternative cycle route using a quiet street treatment running parallel to the Malahide Road along Brian Road, Carleton Road and Haverty Road. Cyclists will then re-join Marino Mart and connect with the Clontarf to City Centre Cycle Scheme. The EPR indicated that Haverty Road would remain as a through route. After taking into account the safety and convenience of all road users as well as the residents of the area, it is now proposed to close Haverty Road for vehicular traffic at the St Aidan's Park end of the street. This proposal will also help to further reduce through-traffic on Brian Road, Carleton Road and Haverty Road.
The proposed bus lane works will tie into the intended bus and cycle facilities on Clontarf Road, which are being advanced by Dublin City Council and have received planning approval.
This brochure provides details of the proposed Preferred Route Option for this core bus corridor. These proposals are subject to a second non-statutory round of public consultation, and subsequent design refinement and environmental impact assessment, before a formal statutory application will be made by the NTA to An Bord Pleanála for approval.
The project website www.busconnects.ie has a dedicated section for the Core Bus Corridor project. All previous emerging preferred route brochures are available on the website. Users can access the site to find out more about the project and download copies of the key documents.
General queries can be directed to a dedicated freephone 1800 303 653 or by email to cbc@busconnects.ie
We are inviting submissions in relation to the Preferred Route Options set out in this document. The closing date for submissions is stated on the website www.busconnects.ie
Written submissions and observations may be made by:
Core Bus Corridor Project National Transport Authority, Dún Scéine, Harcourt Lane, Dublin 2, D02 WT20
Following the second round of public consultation the NTA will finalise the Preferred Route Options for all sixteen corridors. The scheme designs will be finalised, transport and environmental impact assessments will be completed. This will culminate in the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) for the scheme together with details of land to be acquired. This will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála during Q4 2020 for its consideration and determination. A formal statutory consultation process will be undertaken as part of that process.