QUALITY OF life, environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness should underpin a vision to guide transport planners in the greater Dublin area, according to the results of public consultation by the Dublin Transportation Office (DTO).
People identified accessibility and stress reduction as key objectives for a 20-year transport strategy covering the period 2010 to 2030.
The feedback also emphasised the importance of ensuring access to jobs and services.
Respecting the natural environment was also often mentioned, with a key issue being carbon dioxide and other emissions from transport, which many felt should be addressed by encouraging a shift to public transport, walking and cycling.
When commenting on the main issues, people noted that the legacy of past planning decisions was constraining the options open to planners in the future.
People also said it highlighted the need for more "joined-up thinking" on transport and land use.
Among the 3,500 people who completed the DTO's online questionnaire earlier this year, many pointed to the impact that long travel times were having on communities and business, and called for urban areas to be designed more attractively.
DTO director John Henry said the public input would inform the "guiding principles" of the new strategy.
"We will launch a second phase of public consultation on this in early 2009, and we plan to come back to the public a third and final time in late 2009 before publishing a final transport strategy for the greater Dublin area in early 2010," Mr Henry added.
Information on the www.2030 vision.ie website has been made available in Irish, English, Polish, Mandarin Chinese and Lithuanian.
It was accessed largely by people in Dublin and surrounding counties.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label dublin transportation office. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dublin transportation office. Show all posts
Thursday, 18 September 2008
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
Transport plans open to public scrutiny
COMMUTERS will have a say in the future of Dublin’s transportation system for the first time.
A vision of the capital’s road, rail and tram links will go under public scrutiny as transport chiefs consult future projects with members of the public.
The Dublin Transportation Office will take submissions from commuters, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians through a public consultation website www.2030vision.ie The strategy, to run from up to 2030, will replace Transport 21.
“We are planning for the people so the people should know what we are doing, what we are saying, and we should know what that they are saying,” said John Henry, DTO director.
“We want to hear all views on what the key transport issues are, and to learn what people feel the objectives for Dublin’s transport should be.”
Consultations have already taken place with business and community groups, tourism organisations, and representatives from counties Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
The strategy has been opened for public input before a consultation process begins through advertising, public meetings and websites.
Launching the scheme, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said there will eventually be fewer cars in the city centre, but stressed it would remain open for business.
He also attempted to ease concerns of disruption during the construction of the Metro North and Interconnector between 2010 and 2015: “Works will be taking place at different places at different times, and whatever disruptions there will be confined to a particular area.”
Mr Henry said private cars may be rerouted from the main thoroughfares.
Meanwhile, the Green Party will launch its submission to the Government’s public consultation on Sustainable Travel and Transport tomorrow.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
A vision of the capital’s road, rail and tram links will go under public scrutiny as transport chiefs consult future projects with members of the public.
The Dublin Transportation Office will take submissions from commuters, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians through a public consultation website www.2030vision.ie The strategy, to run from up to 2030, will replace Transport 21.
“We are planning for the people so the people should know what we are doing, what we are saying, and we should know what that they are saying,” said John Henry, DTO director.
“We want to hear all views on what the key transport issues are, and to learn what people feel the objectives for Dublin’s transport should be.”
Consultations have already taken place with business and community groups, tourism organisations, and representatives from counties Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.
The strategy has been opened for public input before a consultation process begins through advertising, public meetings and websites.
Launching the scheme, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said there will eventually be fewer cars in the city centre, but stressed it would remain open for business.
He also attempted to ease concerns of disruption during the construction of the Metro North and Interconnector between 2010 and 2015: “Works will be taking place at different places at different times, and whatever disruptions there will be confined to a particular area.”
Mr Henry said private cars may be rerouted from the main thoroughfares.
Meanwhile, the Green Party will launch its submission to the Government’s public consultation on Sustainable Travel and Transport tomorrow.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Restrictions on cars in city centre may be permanent
RESTRICTIONS ON private cars in Dublin city centre, to be introduced for rail works, may become permanent, John Henry, chairman of the Dublin Transportation Office (DTO), suggested yesterday.
"It is necessary to have restrictions while construction is going on but I would like to see a more permanent solution, to make the city centre a much friendlier place to do business," Mr Henry said.
A congestion charge, such as the one introduced in London city centre, will be one of the solutions for traffic control that will be considered in the future, Mr Henry said.
The traffic management plan will not be introduced until 2010, before works on Metro North, Luas extensions and the underground interconnector begin, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said yesterday at the launch of a public consultation on a new transport strategy for Dublin from 2010 until 2030.
This is despite an earlier target of April 2009 recently proposed by Frank Fahey, chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport.
"We need to have a plan in place well in advance of construction starting rather than just reacting to construction," Mr Henry said, adding that he would prefer to see the restrictions in place up to a year in advance of the works in order to get the city streets under control.
Proposals would restrict private cars in O'Connell Street, Westmoreland Street, College Green and Dame Street and would see cross-city traffic diverted onto a proposed new bridge between Marlborough Street and Hawkins Street.
"It won't be an entirely car-free city centre as people still have to do business but traffic that has no need to be there should find an alternative route," he said.
"We are not talking about banning traffic in the city centre but rerouting it," Mr Henry said, adding that he is confident it can be achieved with a bit of courage.
While disruption in the city centre is inevitable during the construction, Mr Dempsey said the way disruption is managed is important, such as planning works to take place in different places at different times.
"Trying to provide a world-class public transport system does entail some inconvenience and disruption," he said.
He also wants to ensure Dublin city centre will be clearly promoted as being open for business during the expected disruption.
He was launching the first part of the consultation, seeking the public's vision for transport in the greater Dublin area until 2030.
A draft vision and objectives for Dublin have already been developed following consultation with local politicians, community groups and businesses.
This draft vision defines Dublin as "a competitive, vibrant, city-region of inclusive and engaged communities, proud of its heritage and its national and European roles, and looking to the future, where an improved quality of life for all is guided by the principle of sustainability."
Draft objectives include: strengthening communities, improving its economic competitiveness, improving accessibility, improving governance and attractiveness of the public realm, respecting the environment and reducing stress in the lives of citizens.
Members of the public interested in giving their views on the future shape of transport in the greater Dublin area have until June 30th to answer an online questionnaire at www.2030vision.ie; e-mail their views to consult@dto.ie or send their opinions by post to: 2030 Vision, Block 2, West Pier Business Campus, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
"It is necessary to have restrictions while construction is going on but I would like to see a more permanent solution, to make the city centre a much friendlier place to do business," Mr Henry said.
A congestion charge, such as the one introduced in London city centre, will be one of the solutions for traffic control that will be considered in the future, Mr Henry said.
The traffic management plan will not be introduced until 2010, before works on Metro North, Luas extensions and the underground interconnector begin, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said yesterday at the launch of a public consultation on a new transport strategy for Dublin from 2010 until 2030.
This is despite an earlier target of April 2009 recently proposed by Frank Fahey, chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport.
"We need to have a plan in place well in advance of construction starting rather than just reacting to construction," Mr Henry said, adding that he would prefer to see the restrictions in place up to a year in advance of the works in order to get the city streets under control.
Proposals would restrict private cars in O'Connell Street, Westmoreland Street, College Green and Dame Street and would see cross-city traffic diverted onto a proposed new bridge between Marlborough Street and Hawkins Street.
"It won't be an entirely car-free city centre as people still have to do business but traffic that has no need to be there should find an alternative route," he said.
"We are not talking about banning traffic in the city centre but rerouting it," Mr Henry said, adding that he is confident it can be achieved with a bit of courage.
While disruption in the city centre is inevitable during the construction, Mr Dempsey said the way disruption is managed is important, such as planning works to take place in different places at different times.
"Trying to provide a world-class public transport system does entail some inconvenience and disruption," he said.
He also wants to ensure Dublin city centre will be clearly promoted as being open for business during the expected disruption.
He was launching the first part of the consultation, seeking the public's vision for transport in the greater Dublin area until 2030.
A draft vision and objectives for Dublin have already been developed following consultation with local politicians, community groups and businesses.
This draft vision defines Dublin as "a competitive, vibrant, city-region of inclusive and engaged communities, proud of its heritage and its national and European roles, and looking to the future, where an improved quality of life for all is guided by the principle of sustainability."
Draft objectives include: strengthening communities, improving its economic competitiveness, improving accessibility, improving governance and attractiveness of the public realm, respecting the environment and reducing stress in the lives of citizens.
Members of the public interested in giving their views on the future shape of transport in the greater Dublin area have until June 30th to answer an online questionnaire at www.2030vision.ie; e-mail their views to consult@dto.ie or send their opinions by post to: 2030 Vision, Block 2, West Pier Business Campus, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
City centre areas to be no-go zones for private cars
PLANS TO to limit the use of private cars in Dublin city centre are being finalised for presentation to a special Dublin Transportation Office (DTO) steering group, next May.
The proposals, which were initially intended to be for the duration of construction works for the Metro, were outlined to members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport recently. They include a ban on private cars in the central city areas of O'Connell Street, College Green and lower Grafton Street/Nassau Street.
The duration of the construction works on Metro North is expected to be at least three years.
Access is to be maintained to O'Connell Street via alternative routes, but cars entering the northbound section will be unable to exit through the top of O'Connell Street, while a similar arrangement will be put in place for cars entering southbound lanes.
Four lanes of traffic from Dame Street into Westmoreland Street are to be declared public transport only, as are the reverse lanes coming around from D'Olier Street. Lower Grafton Street to the Dawson Street/Nassau Street corner is also to be made a no-go zone for private cars. The work will also see a reorganisation of the inner and outer orbital routes.
The opening of the Macken Street Bridge is crucial for the plan, the start-up of which is to be in place for the start of the Transport 21 works in 2010. The installation of a temporary bridge between Hawkins Street and Marlborough Street is also being considered.
Ownership of the plan is set to move from the DTO steering group to Dublin City Council after a steering committee meeting and city council sources indicated the intention is to make the changes permanent.
The steering committee accepts that there is a deficit in public transport but points out that additional buses are planned, as well as new measures to give priority to all buses.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The proposals, which were initially intended to be for the duration of construction works for the Metro, were outlined to members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport recently. They include a ban on private cars in the central city areas of O'Connell Street, College Green and lower Grafton Street/Nassau Street.
The duration of the construction works on Metro North is expected to be at least three years.
Access is to be maintained to O'Connell Street via alternative routes, but cars entering the northbound section will be unable to exit through the top of O'Connell Street, while a similar arrangement will be put in place for cars entering southbound lanes.
Four lanes of traffic from Dame Street into Westmoreland Street are to be declared public transport only, as are the reverse lanes coming around from D'Olier Street. Lower Grafton Street to the Dawson Street/Nassau Street corner is also to be made a no-go zone for private cars. The work will also see a reorganisation of the inner and outer orbital routes.
The opening of the Macken Street Bridge is crucial for the plan, the start-up of which is to be in place for the start of the Transport 21 works in 2010. The installation of a temporary bridge between Hawkins Street and Marlborough Street is also being considered.
Ownership of the plan is set to move from the DTO steering group to Dublin City Council after a steering committee meeting and city council sources indicated the intention is to make the changes permanent.
The steering committee accepts that there is a deficit in public transport but points out that additional buses are planned, as well as new measures to give priority to all buses.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
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