N83 Dunmore Rural Regeneration Scheme

• Other relevant links
• N59 Kentfield
• Athenry Northern Ring Road
• N63 Liss to Abbey Realignment Scheme
• N17 Milltown to Gortnagunned Realignment
• N83 Dunmore Rural Regeneration Scheme
• IAPS Eradication
• M6 Service Area
• M17 M18 Gort to Tuam Scheme
• N59 Clifden to Maam Cross
• N59 Maigh Cuilinn Bypass
• R336 Bearna to Scríb

N83 Dunmore

Welcome to the 2^nd stage of public consultation for Dunmore N83 Bridge Street Improvement works. This project has been commissioned by Galway County Council with funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development. The purpose of the project is to improve the centre of Dunmore to enable regeneration within the town, improve the usability of Bridge Street and encourage use of the Square. The project will seek to establish a best fit solution to the safety and experience for road users and the town centre.

These information boards set out the findings of the process so far and update you on the findings of the route selection process. Please peruse the information boards, watch the video and to give your feedback. We will also consider other ideas that you may have for the project.

The Deadline for feedback submissions is the 16th of December 2020

 

The Process so far

A consultancy team led by O’Connor Sutton Cronin has been appointed to prepare this plan. They are a leading consultancy with extensive Irish and International experience in related projects.

Since starting in late 2019, the team has been conducting extensive research and site appraisal work to inform the plan.

We have:

1. Defined the Study area
2. Selected Potential Routes
3. Commissioned an Archaeologist and Ecologist
4. Liaised with the County Councillors at their meeting
5. Met Local Stakeholders
6. Procured traffic and topographical surveys
7. Carried out a Land and Planning Search
8. Developed the Potential Routes
9. Assessed the developed routes using a recognised Multi Criteria Analysis Methodology
10. Selected the Emerging Preferred Route

 

Need for the Proposed Road Development

Bridge Street is between 3.4 and 4.5 metres wide. There is a necking effect which leads to an informal STOP/GO arrangement and regular mounting of the footpath by vehicles.

The geometry of the junction at The Square also excludes large vehicles from turning left or right onto Bridge Street. HGVs must therefore do an unnecessary loop through the town.

The roadway is too narrow to safely accommodate all the currently legal movements.

The pedestrian facilities do not promote walking or the street facing businesses.

There is significant under-utilisation of buildings and some dereliction along Bridge Street.

The Square cannot accommodate all movements leading to HGVs looping the town

The visibility of the junction of Gater Street/Sion Hill is limited and the National Route does not have priority.

 

Initial public feedback

All attendees acknowledged that Bridge Street is the “the number one issue in Dunmore”.

Key Themes Raised were:

1. Safety at the Square and the R360 Junctions
2. A Safe Pedestrian Route from the Square to the Primary School.
3. The need to accommodate 2-way traffic in dedicated lanes.
4. The Protection of the facades of Bridge Street insofar as possible.
5. Maintain traffic through the town.
6. Support a Vibrant Town Centre through “placemaking”.
7. Provide a solution that is a good fit for Dunmore.
8. Consider the future of Dunmore and enable broadband.
9. Consider the effect of the construction on town users and review the town traffic management plan.
10. Ensure the rich biodiversity of the area is conserved.

 

ROUTE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

1     Improvements along Castle Street and Bridge Street, widening the road to the west of Bridge Street.

2     Improvements along Castle Street and Bridge Street, widening the road to the east of Bridge Street.

3     New road from Barrack Street over the Sinking River to meet the N83 at the Bridge Bar.

4     Extend the cul-de-sac along Castle Street over the river, to create a new junction with the N83.

5     A new road to the west of the town which would create a link between Castle St and the N83.

All options upgrade the junction at the Bridge Bar.

 

Emerging Preferred Option 

The Option 2 widening on the eastern side of the Bridge Street emerged as the preferred option.

This Option achieves the following:

• A comprehensive road traffic management solution.
• A better economical balance for the future users and the town centre of Dunmore
• A safe option and adheres to design standards.
• Provides dedicated space for pedestrian & cyclists.
• Better facilitate the vulnerable users.
• Improves accessibility to the town centre for people on the north of the Sinking river.
• Also, it enhances accessibility to the schools and the community facilities.
• Provides optimal balanced impact to the environment, archaeological and cultural heritage to Dunmore.
• Compatible with Galway County Development Plan & Rural Re-generation.
• Streamlines strategic connectivity and mitigates urban sprawl.
• Increased health benefits by facilitating people to walk and cycle to the schools, town centre, playgrounds and the club.

 

Links

1 MULTI CRITERIA ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY PRESENTATION‌

2 MCA_ROUTE _SELECTION_REPORT‌

3 Appendix A Alignment Route Options Drawings‌

4 Appendix B Multi Criteria Analysis‌

5 Appendix C Archaelogical Report by Through Time Ltd.‌

6 Appendix D Environmental Report by Enviroguide‌

‌7 Dunmore Rural Regeneration video - published soon