8.2 Emerging concepts in transport: I welcome the NTA focus on 15 minute cities and neighbourhoods.
Measure PLAN14 – Reallocation of Road Space:
I welcome the stated ambition that the “The NTA, in conjunction with the local authorities, will seek the reallocation of road space in Dublin City Centre, Metropolitan towns and villages, and towns and villages across the GDA to prioritise walking, cycling and public transport use and prioritise the placemaking functions of the urban street network.”
8.6 and 8.7: I welcome the NTA’s focus on mixed use development and filtered permeability as a means to remove through traffic from residential roads and neighbourhoods, thereby providing a safer environment for cyclists, pedestrians and children in particular and ultimately supporting a 15min neighbourhood where residents feel safe to use alternative transport modes in their daily activities.
8.9 Urban design and placemaking: The inclusion of placemaking is welcome. I would like to see as much greening of the GDA as possible to respond to the biodiversity crisis. Plans to reduce car speeds to facilitate placemaking are not far reaching enough and removing private cars from people centred places as much as possible should be the target. Filtered permeability and more pedestrianisation are also a critical means to achieve a better public realm.
8.11 The Road User Hierarchy: I welcome the statement: “A high priority must also be given to cyclists, because trips by this mode have a great potential to replace trips by private car, most specifically for short to medium distance trips, but increasingly for longer trips as e-bikes extend the range of this mode.” However the following Action Measure seems to dilute this: MEASURE PLAN16 – The Road User Hierarchy The NTA, in the decision-making process around the design, planning and funding of transport schemes in the GDA, will be guided by the priority afforded to each mode in the Road User Hierarchy as set out in the Transport Strategy. “Will be guided” is not strong enough as guidance can be easily ignored as is currently the case.