5.4 Priority Axis 3: Urban Development and Secondary Transport Networks

The objective of this priority is:

"to strengthen the spatial structuring of the BMW region by investing in integrated sustainable initiatives in order to enhance the competitiveness, accessibility and social cohesion of the region’s urban growth centres and to modernise the region’s transport infrastructure"

The rationale for this priority is outlined in chapter four. The BMW region covers a large area with a relatively low population density. This results in a lack of ‘critical mass’ with sub-optimal impacts when resources are spread too thinly across the region. This weak urban structure was identified as a critical issue in chapter three. There is recognition of the need for a strategic focus, concentrating the use of investment resources effectively and building on existing concentrations of economic activity. This is consistent with the National Spatial Strategy and has the potential to maximise impacts on the region. In addition, the provision of an efficient, flexible and safe transport infrastructure, meeting the requirements of sustainable development (particularly as far as the environment is concerned) is regarded as a necessary pre-condition for the economic development of the BMW region by enhancing access to the region, connectivity within the region and facilitating the movement of people and goods.

Intervention: Urban Regeneration

The rationale for the inclusion of an urban development intervention in this OP has been set out in chapter 4. It is recognised that the Region’s growth centres must become more attractive and more dynamic in their contribution to entrepreneurship and innovation and in reducing social disparities.

This will complement the large scale investment proposed under the NDP 2007-13 that will address the key infrastructure deficits of the gateways and hubs. This EU co-funded intervention will support proposals bringing key players together around initiatives relating to access, capacity building, community development, networking, branding and some focused capital works i.e. urban renewal/physical improvement works, development of strategic sites, provision of cultural amenities, recycling facilities, social infrastructure, renewal of public areas, enhancement of natural and cultural heritage.

In addition, supports will be provided to promote and facilitate co-operation between the different actors and partners at gateway/hub level and the development of networks and joint initiatives between gateways and hubs, in particular among linked and polycentric gateways and hubs in order to strengthen the potential for synergies.

This intervention will facilitate wide stakeholder input, address economic, environmental and social issues affecting the urban centres, explicitly contribute to gender equality and social inclusion, and promote sustainable development. Intervention: Key Linking Routes Taking account of the dispersed settlement pattern within the BMW region and the importance of connectivity within the region, this intervention will support a limited number of key linking routes, particularly aimed at improving accessibility to and between growth centres within the BMW region and extending the functional area of the designated growth centres. This will dovetail with the National Road Authority’s strategy for the development of the national secondary road network over the period 2007 – 2013 which has been determined having regard to national policy objectives set out in Transport 21. The roads base of much public transport provision in the BMW region (i.e., bus services) also supports the need for improvements in the region’s secondary roads infrastructure.

This development strategy incorporates the following:

• Widening, realignment and reconstruction of deficient sections;

• the provision of small bypasses, minor inner relief roads;

• structural improvement measures, including new high quality road pavement and improved drainage;

• capacity improvements, including the provision of hard shoulders, and improved vertical and horizontal alignments;

• safety improvements including the improvement of layout of junctions and access points;

• provision of traffic calming schemes;

• provision of high quality signing, lining and reflective studs, and

• bridge replacement, reconstruction and strengthening.

High quality infrastructure in peripheral regions forms a critical element in underpinning continued competitiveness and the ongoing development of the national secondary road network will facilitate the efficient movement of people and goods in accordance with the objectives of the European Union.

High quality national secondary routes located in the BMW region will enhance regional connectivity between Gateway and Hub towns as identified in the National Spatial Strategy, 2002-2020.

Intervention: Public Transport

A comprehensive and efficient transport network is essential in order to enable the movement of people and freight within and into and out of the BMW Region. There is also a need for public transport within major urban centres in the Region. It is accepted that public transport is an environmentally friendly and safe mode of travel. Improvement works to be supported will include Quality Bus Corridors, integrated transport planning and investment in railway services in the BMW region, for example:

• Improvements in Signalling

• Improvement of Crossings

• Improvement of structures

• Removal of speed restrictions

• Park and Ride infrastructure

The Managing Authority will seek to maximise investment in public transport in the BMW region and these actions will be complemented by support for the deployment of clean energy public transport vehicles under Priority 2.

Performance Indicators

Indicator Class	Indicator	Baseline	Final Target (2013)
Output	No. of integrated growth centre strategies approved	0	10
	No. of key linking routes supported	0	2
	Kms. of new/improved linking routes	0	14**
	No. of public transport projects supported	0	1*
Result	Timesaving on improved routes	0	9.5 minutes peak time 2.7 minutes off-peak
	Daily services on: Dublin - Galway Dublin - Westport	6 3	10 5

* Other projects to be determined
** Indicative figure – subject to selection of routes

Intermediary Bodies

The Intermediary bodies for the interventions under this priority will include:

• Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

• Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

• Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

• National Roads Authority

• Iarnród Éireann

Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of EU co-financed assistance under this priority will include:

• Local Authorities

• Community and Voluntary Organisations

• Public Bodies

• Networks

• Public Transport Companies

Contribution to Earmarking

The public transport interventions under this priority can be included in the resources ‘earmarked’ to support the Lisbon-related priorities (see Annex 7).

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