report on the nature, extent and principal features of the

N55 Ballymahon Main Street Improvement Works

Part 8 of Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (As Amended)

Report on the Nature, Extent and Principal features of the proposed Development for

Longford County Council

August 2018

17048-01-004 7, Ormonde Road Kilkenny Tel: 056 7795800

TABLE OF CONTEST

1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 1

2. THE NEED FOR THE SCHEME ...................................................................................................................... 2

3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................................................. 4

4. ARCHAEOLOGY AND ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE ....................................................................................... 8

5. CONSTRUCTION MITIGATION MEASURES ................................................................................................ 10

6. PART 8 PUBLIC CONSULTATION ............................................................................................................... 11

APPENDIX A ‐ DRAWING................................................................................................................................... 13

Longford Co Co


Roadplan

17048-01-004 Part 8 Report August 2018 1

1. INTRODUCTION

Ballymahon is the second largest town in Longford and is a traditional market town situated between the towns of Athlone, Mullingar and Longford on the junction of the N55 national primary road and the regional R392 road. Main Street is at its centre and forms an attractive mixed-use area with shops, services, facilities and residences within easy walking distance.

Ballymahon Bridge (over the River Inny) – Historic View Nally’s Corner is the junction of Edgeworthstown Road (N55) and Main Street (R392). The Athlone Road (N55) junction is a T-junction with the Mullingar Road (R392) on the east side of the Inny River. The proposed development is the upgrading of both junctions and the associated improvement of the section of road (N55) between them. The overall ambitions of the project are, in summary to:

promote the business environment; support the Center Parcs development and foster tourism in general; improve the pedestrian environment; enhance road safety for all road users; assist traffic movements; maximise accessibility and permeability in an age-friendly way; enhance the public realm.

Longford Co Co


Roadplan


2. THE NEED FOR THE SCHEME

Both junctions, Nally’s Corner and the Athlone Road junction, carry significant volumes of traffic, a high proportion of which is heavy commercial traffic. The proportions of traffic turning right at both junctions are quite high because much of the traffic is travelling along the N55 route. A right-turn manoeuvre is particularly disruptive, and the result is that the junctions can be congested at peak times. Both junctions are T-junctions, and such junctions cannot carry high volumes of traffic efficiently. In addition, facilities for pedestrians trying to cross at the junctions are poor. Main Street is wide; the distance between buildings varies between 20m and 30m. Approximately three quarters of that space is in use at present to serve the vehicle, either as road or as parking, and the remainder is either footpaths for pedestrian use, or civic space in the form of hard and soft landscaping areas. The dominant visual elements on Main Street are therefore the vehicle and the elements of the infrastructure regulating its use (signage and road markings). The condition of the footpaths on Main Street is poor. They are old concrete paths that have been degraded by trench works associated with works such as the recent installation of new watermains. Parking within the town is currently provided almost entirely on-street - on Main Street – and there is very little off-street parking. Perpendicular parking is the general parking type used. Those perpendicular parking spaces are offset from the carriageway edge so that drivers reversing from them have some view of approaching traffic; however, that space provided for visibility and safety is often used instead for double parking. In addition, haphazard parking occurs frequently at junctions. There is one formal crossing point (a signalised crossing) on Main Street, between the two junctions. At other locations on Main Street, pedestrians cross the street between parked cars. These many difficulties could be exacerbated by the likely increase in pedestrian and traffic flows on the Main Street when the nearby Center Parcs development becomes operational. The Main Street and town-centre environment might not be attractive to tourists and shoppers who find difficulty in crossing the streets and negotiating traffic congestion, and the potential gain to the town from Center Parcs might not, as a result, be realised as fully as possible.

Longford Co Co


Roadplan


The intention therefore is to improve the junctions and Main Street to enable the area to efficiently carry the predicted volumes of traffic so that congestion can be reduced and Main Street can be more user-friendly for pedestrians and shoppers. The Ballymahon Review of Infrastructural & Urban Design Requirements for Town & Environs (the Ballymahon Infrastructure Plan) is a key action towards the fulfilment of objectives and policies set out in the Longford Development Plan 2015 – 2021. This plan analyses the existing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in Ballymahon and identifies the infrastructure and public realm improvements that would provide for the future of Ballymahon and harnesses the opportunities presented by Centre Parcs Longford and the Royal Canal Greenway. Specifically, it recommends:

Redevelopment of Existing Public Spaces - removal of the sense of vehicular dominance and the promotion of shared use

Opening Up the Backlands and provision of off-street car parking

The following excerpt from the Plan summarises its key message: Put simply, a change in the emphasis of the existing infrastructure in the town, with improved pedestrian and cyclist facilities would make Ballymahon a more enjoyable place in which to spend time, increasing its appeal to shoppers and tourists, thus bringing economic benefits to the town, which is particularly key with the development of Centre Parcs and the Royal Canal Greenway and the commercial opportunities which this presents.

Longford Co Co


Roadplan


3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The proposal is to realign and improve the junctions and the section of Main Street between them by replacing the existing T-junction at Nally’s Corner with traffic signals, and the existing T-junction at the Athlone Road with a roundabout. The section of road (N55) between both junctions will be altered to suit. Nally’s Corner Junction The proposed traffic signals would have the following characteristics:

Two no. entry lanes on the N55 Edgeworthstown approach; one for turning left and the other for turning right.

Two no. entry lanes on the R392 Mullingar approach; one for traffic travelling ahead onto main Street and the other for traffic turning right onto the N55 Edgeworthstown Road.

The approach to the signals from Main Street (from Lanesborough) would have a single entry lane serving both ahead and left-turning traffic.

The lights would include a pedestrian stage when all vehicular traffic would be stopped.

Each cycle of the traffic lights would be two minutes duration approximately. The overall layout of the traffic signal junction is shown in the image on the following page and is also presented on Drawing 17048-01-0301 ‘Proposed Layout Rev A’ appended to this report.

Nally’s Corner

Longford Co Co


Roadplan


Nally’s Corner – Proposed Traffic Signals

Capacity assessment was undertaken and it indicated that the proposed junction would have sufficient capacity to cater for the predicted traffic over the coming fifteen years, including the traffic expected to arise from the Center Parcs development.

Athlone Road Junction The proposed roundabout would have the following characteristics:

An inscribed circle diameter of 26m. A single entry lane on each approach. Uncontrolled pedestrian crossings of each arm, with the crossing

manoeuvres split by the channelizing island on each arm. Widened footpaths on all sides of the junction.

The overall layout of the traffic signal junction is show in the image on the following page and is also presented on Drawing 17048-01-0301 - Proposed Layout Rev A, appended to this report.

Longford Co Co


Roadplan


Athlone Road junction – Proposed Roundabout

Capacity assessment was carried out and it indicated that the proposed roundabout would have sufficient capacity to cater for the predicted traffic for the coming fifteen years, including the traffic expected to arise from the Center Parcs development.

Athlone Road

The roundabout would act as a traffic calming feature, reducing the speed of traffic entering the town from the Mullingar direction. In addition, it would offer shoppers travelling by car the opportunity to U-turn to the town centre.

Longford Co Co


Roadplan


N55 Main Street The section on Main Street between both junctions will be amended in its layout to suit the proposed junction improvements. The road pavement will be renewed and new road markings and signage will be provided. The layout is shown on drawing 17048-01-0301 - Proposed Layout. The proposed development will also include the upgrade to the Main Street between both junctions, entailing enhancements to the public realm of the civic space such as upgrading of pedestrian areas, new public seating, tree planting, street lighting etc. using a consistent palette of high-quality materials to create an attractive town centre destination that would support retail, commercial, leisure and tourist-based facilities and activities whilst respecting the unique historic character of the town centre.

Main Street

Proposals for the Main Street also include:

Redesign and reconstruction of the footpath & parking layout; Cycle track - it is proposed to provide a two-way cycle track on the footpath

to the western side of the street; Reconstruction of the road pavement - the N55 carriageway will be

renewed as part of the works; Improvement to pedestrian facilities; Improvements to street furniture and landscaping to include hard and soft

landscaping, street furniture, planters, seating and lighting.

Longford Co Co


Roadplan


4. ARCHAEOLOGY AND ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

Ballymahon town has retained its historic fabric and architectural heritage.

Extracts from Ordnance Survey Historic Maps

The National Monuments Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht classifies Ballymahon as an historic town (Reg. No. LF027-003006), and it is stated to be scheduled for inclusion in the next revision of the Record of Monuments and Places. Other sites recorded in the vicinity of the works are:

Church - Reg. No. LF027-003001 Graveyard - Reg. No. LF027-003002 Bridge - Reg. No. LF027-003003

The following buildings are listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) (all stated to be of Regional importance) and in the Longford County Development Plan 2015-2021 Record of Protected Structures (RPS):

Ballymahon Market House – NIAH Reg. No. 13316010, RPS Reg. No. 55; Halo Hair Salon – NIAH Reg. No. 13316011; House – NIAH Reg. No. 13316012; House – NIAH Reg. No. 13316013, RPS Reg. No. 161; Shop – NIAH Reg. No. 13316014; Bank of Ireland – NIAH Reg. No. 13316015, RPS Reg. No. 162; RIC barracks – NIAH Reg. No. 13316016, RPS Reg. No. 158; Skelly's (Public House) – NIAH Reg. No. 13316017; House – NIAH Reg. No. 13316018;

Longford Co Co


Roadplan


St. Catherine's Church of Ireland Church – NIAH Reg. No. 13316019, RPS Reg. No. 160;

Fox's (House) – NIAH Reg. No. 13316027; Claffey – NIAH Reg. No. 13316029; The Mill Apartment Complex – RPS Reg. No. 100; Ballymahon Bridge – NIAH Reg. No. 13316030.

To mitigate against archaeological and heritage impacts, the following measures would be implemented:

In the detailed design of the project, intrusion into below-ground strata would be minimised;

Monitoring of intrusive groundworks would be carried out by a qualified archaeologist;

In any areas of proposed tree planting, shallow-rooting species would be used in areas adjacent to archaeological monuments.

It is the National Monuments Service, in consultation with the local authority, who would formulate and ratify any archaeological mitigation that might be required. The National Monuments Acts (1930 - 2004) describe the responsibilities in reporting the finding of archaeological items to the National Museum of Ireland and the National Monuments Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Longford Co Co


Roadplan


5. CONSTRUCTION MITIGATION MEASURES

The objective is to minimise the scale, severity and duration of temporary disruption that might arise during the construction of the works. A Construction Management Plan would be compiled by the appointed construction contractor and reviewed / agreed by the Planning Authority. Specific items that would be addressed include:

The overall construction period of the works; Time restrictions on construction activity; A Temporary Traffic Management Plan, showing:

o construction stages for individual works areas; o vehicle diversion arrangements and any lane closures or road

closures necessary for the works; o specific arrangements for the management of construction traffic; o the location of the construction works compound;

Specific arrangements for the management of construction noise and dust; Information dissemination arrangements, specifically in respect of

businesses and residents, to inform them in relation to all aspects of the works;

Specific measures for archaeology and the built heritage, detailing the procedures required to manage their monitoring and protection during the course of the construction works.

Main Street

Longford Co Co


Roadplan


6. PART 8 PUBLIC CONSULTATION

This document is a report on the upgrading of Nally’s Corner, Athlone Road junction and the section of Main Street between the junctions at Ballymahon, made available under Article 83 of Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended).

Nally’s Corner

Initial consultations have taken place with the Ballymahon public as part of the Ballymahon Infrastructure Plan – whereby Longford County Council in conjunction with the Ballymahon Traders and local interest groups are committed to ensuring that Ballymahon fulfils its potential as a tourist hub and operates as an economically viable centre of commercial and social activity. A public workshop was held in Ballymahon County Library on the 2nd of March 2017 with the residents of Ballymahon, business community & interest groups invited to submit their thoughts on the future of the town. A meeting was held with the Ballymahon Traders Association on the 31st of January 2017 in Cooney’s Hotel, Ballymahon. This meeting involved the presentation from the Traders of the issues as they see them in Ballymahon. The Part 8 Report will be issued to the following bodies:

1. Commissioners of Public Works, 51 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 2. Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Development

Applications Section, Newtown Road, Wexford, Co Wexford 3. Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, 44 Kildare Street, Dublin 2, 4. TII, Parkgate Business Centre, Parkgate Street, Dublin 8 5. Failte Ireland, 88 - 95 Amiens St, Dublin 1 6. Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly, 3rd Floor North, Ballymun Civic

Centre, Main St., Ballymun, Dublin 9 7. The Heritage Council, Rothe House, Kilkenny 8. An Comhairle Ealaion, 70 Merrion Square, Dublin 2

Longford Co Co


Roadplan


9. An Taisce, Tailors Hall, Black Lane, Dublin 8 10. Waterways Ireland, Grand Canal Depot, Harbour St, Tullamore, Co Offaly 11. Inland Fisheries Ireland, Ashbourne Park, Dock Road, Limerick 12. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, 123 Kildare St, Dublin 2 13. Ballymahon Traders Group 14. Ballymahon Tidy Towns 15. Bus Eireann, Busáras (Central Bus Station), Store Street, Dublin 1. 16. IRHA Suite 6, Gowna Plaza, Bracetown Business Park, Clonee, Co. Meath 17. Ballymahon Primary and Secondary Schools 18. Medical Centre, Main Street Ballymahon 19. An Garda Commissioner ,Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 20. Sergeant in Charge, Traffic Division, Longford Garda Station, Battery Road,

Longford 21. The Cathaoirleach and each Member of Longford Municipal District

The principal objectives of Part 8 consultation are to provide the opportunity for stakeholders, statutory bodies and the public to gain an appreciation of the proposals and to submit comments on them. Written submissions and observations on the proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area may be made in writing to Longford County Council, headed “N55 Ballymahon Main Street Improvement Works” and addressed to Planning Section, Longford County Council, Áras an Chontae, Great Water Street, Longford to arrive not later than Monday 8st October 2018 at 4pm.

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PROPOSED LAYOUT

Kerbline

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Footpaths and Traffic islands

Grassed/Landscaped area

Landscaping

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Wall

Tel +353(0)567795800

e-mail [email protected]

7 Ormonde Road,

Kilkenny

Designed: Checked:Approved:

By

No. Revision DateChk'd

App'd

DDGF DD

Notes:

1. No works to be undertaken in the River Inny.

2. The existing drainage network is to be re-used. No new outfalls are to be constructed to the River Inny.

3. Hydrocarbon interceptors and silt traps are to be provided on new drainage runs.

4. The contractor to provide a Construction Environmental Management Plan.

5. Disposal of waste to the licenced facilities.

6. Liquid and fluid material to be stored in bunded areas distant from the river.

7. Spill kits to be kept on site.

8. Drip trays to be used for any static machinery.

9. Refuelling by mobile machinery to be done at designated bunded areas.

10. No stockpiled material or materials storage near the river.

Sheet Size:

Drawn by: Date:Scale:

PROJECT TITLE

1 / 500VD

Drawing Title:

17048-01-0301

A1 July '18

Drawing Number: Revision:

A


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ATHLONE ROAD ROUNDABOUT

NALLY'S CORNER TRAFFIC SIGNALS

LEGEND

Kerbline

Carriageway

Footpaths and Traffic islands

Grassed/Landscaped area

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Three-aspect Pedestrian Signal

with Pedestrian Demand Unit

Three-aspect Primary Traffic Signal

Three-aspect Secondary Traffic Signal

Four-aspect Secondary Traffic Signal

(Red, Amber, Green, Green arrow - right)

LEGEND

Tel +353(0)433343300

e-mail [email protected]

Longford County Council

Great Water St.

Longford

VDA Notes added 18/07/2018 DD DD

report on the nature, extent and principal features of the

Documents