Planning

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Transportation & Infrastructure

Land use planning, transportation and the provision of infrastructure are interdependent and require an integrated approach to deliver sustainable development.

Sustainable Transportation

The integration of good land-use planning with transportation is essential for delivering significant improvements in the quality of life of Wicklow’s residents. Reducing the need to travel long distances by private car and increasing the use of sustainable and healthy alternatives can bring multiple benefits to the environment and our communities. The County Council recognises that the delivery of public transport has failed to keep pace with population growth reinforcing the already well established car based commuting patterns. While the County Council is not a public transport provider the County Development Plan can put in place the necessary policy framework to encourage and facilitate sustainable transport including public transport. The continued improvement of transport infrastructure including footpaths, pedestrian crossings, cycle lanes, traffic management proposals, car parking and new roads and improvements to existing roads are important considerations for the Development Plan. With regard to road infrastructure, the initial planning stages of the N11/M11 Junction 4 to Junction 14 Improvement Scheme, which is identified in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 as one of the 20 priority National Roads to be progressed in order to enable the continued economic development of the state, has commenced. The TII have also identified sections of the N81 for upgrade works.

Strategic Road Connections

Wicklow is served by two national roads - the N11 and the N81, both of which connect to the M50 motorway, providing ease of access to and from the County.  The national road network in the County provides an essential means of access to the metropolitan area. The capacity of these existing roads has come under increasing pressure from the ever-increasing number of commuters to Dublin.

With regard to the M11/N11, the initial planning stages of the N11/M11 Junction 4 to Junction 14 Improvement Scheme, which is identified in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 as one of the 20 priority National Roads to be progressed in order to enable the continued economic development of the state, has commenced.

The TII have also identified sections of the N81 for upgrade works.

Design Manual for Urban Roads & Streets (DMURS)

One of the legacies of residential layout design in the recent past has been that design considerations have often been dominated and driven by the need to make provision for motor vehicles – to the detriment of other road users. The Design Manual for Urban Roads & Streets (DMURS) recognises the importance of assigning higher priority to pedestrians and cyclists, without unduly compromising vehicle movement in order to create secure, connected places that work for everyone. It promotes a design approach which seeks to create self-enforcing low speed environments in settlements.

Water & Wastewater

The provision of an adequate supply of water and wastewater facilities is critical to facilitate and sustain the growth of the County. As of January 2014, Wicklow County Council no longer has any direct control in relation to the provision of such services.  The delivery, integration and implementation of water and wastewater projects and infrastructural improvements are now the responsibility of Irish Water. The Council will work closely with Irish Water to ensure that there is adequate water and wastewater facilities to ensure that the Settlement strategy is implemented. An Bord Pleanála recently granted permission for a new wastewater treatment plant for Arklow which will not only bring environmental benefits to the existing settlement but also allow for the future expansion of the town.

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)

SuDS is an approach to drainage which tries to replicate as closely as possible the natural drainage from a site before development. The use of SUDS overcomes the problems associated with conventional drainage (collection and disposal). Water is either infiltrated or conveyed more slowly to the drainage system and ultimately to water courses via permeable paving, swales, green roofs, rain water harvesting, detention basins, ponds and wetlands. It is a greener, more environmentally effective approach to managing surface water and provides significant benefits in terms of flood risk management, water quality improvement, provision of amenity and biodiversity. The management of surface and storm water is important in order to remove pollutants from urban run-off and prevent an increased risk of flooding downstream. The Council requires all new development to adopt the SuDS approach.  SuDS has the potential to become a vital part of the County’s green infrastructure.

What do you think?

  • What transportation improvements are needed throughout the County?
  • How can we encourage more people to walk and cycle and use public transport?
  • How can we reduce the reliance on the private car as the dominant means of travel?
  • How can permeability in existing residential areas be improved?
  • Where should major public transport facilities such as park and ride or transport interchanges be located to cater for journeys to Dublin and within County Wicklow
  • Are there any issues in relation to water or wastewater facilities in your area?