Active Travel Birr. Tullamore Road Gateway, Traffic Calming and cycle lanes. After with Gateway Sculpture

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2 Active Travel Birr Tullamore Road Gateway, Traffic Calming and cycle lanes Before After After with Gateway Sculpture 2

3 Active Travel Birr Cornmarket pedestrian and cycle link, phase 1 Before Proposal After Plaza area, paving inserts, lighting and signage 3

4 Active Travel Birr Camcor Board walk / cycle shortcut New route provided. LAMA award

5 Active Travel Birr 4 Community Engagement Community Meetings of Council, Chamber of Commerce and Community Groups Delegation on Tour 5

6 Active Travel Birr Westport Visit Public Realm Walk/Cycleway Shared surface 6

7 Active Travel Birr Emmet Square Rejuvenation Proposal 7

8 Active Travel Towns Funding Scheme Application Form Section 1: Project Title: Birr Active Travel Towns Project Name and Address of Local Authorities Contact person/proposed project manager Telephone Town proposed for the implementation of Active Travel Towns Strategy Offaly County Council Aras an Chontae, Charleville Rd. Tullamore, Co. Offaly & Birr Town Council Civic Offices, Wilmer Road, Birr, Co. Offaly John Mitchell a/see Willie Ryan EE J. Mitchell W Ryan jmitchell@offalycoco.ie wryan@offalycoco.ie Birr, Co. Offaly Population of town Planned duration of project/works (months). 4,428 (2011 Census) 11 months Planned start date January 2014 Section 2: Project Detail Briefly outline the details of proposals for the development of walking and cycling infrastructure and identify the elements of existing walking and cycling strategy that are proposed for this project. (Detailed schedule of works should be included in your main project proposal) The Birr Walking and Cycling Strategy, developed towards the end of last year but has been in development in many guises over a number of years, (most recently within the Birr Realm Proposals) identifies a walking and cycling vision for Birr Town and provides a strategic approach to its implementation. This funding application is aimed at only some elements/actions of that strategy. Principally those actions in the strategy awarded the highest priority. The proposed measures detailed herein are a carefully chosen subset of the measure proposed in the strategy, chosen to maximise impact and the likelihood of them delivering the necessary modal shift. The measures build of successful Smarter Travel and Birr Realm Projects which included in its key objectives to promote Walking and Cycling in Birr. The main focal point of Birr Town is Emmett Square. It is proposed to create a public transport hub there. Bus Éireann buses and other private operators stop there at present. It is proposed to improve pedestrian and cycle connectivity to this area. Pedestrian priority streets have been identified. These include O Connell Street, Main Street, Connaught Street, and Mill Street. Improved interconnectivity between the town centre streets and the library/church is proposed. Pedestrianisation of these streets will be considered over time and may occur on a phased basis over time with a greater level of community buy-in, this is not part of this submission. Rather, this submission aims to promote the increase in pedestrian and cyclist priority areas in the town, so that the benefits and practicalities of a modal shift may be realised and that the general community and users of these spaces, in particular, can experience the enhanced urban experience away from the motor car. Birr Town Council have recently undertaken works in the Marian Hall Car Park and at Spinners Corner (south of the car park on William Street). Marian Hall Car Park connects Cornmarket Street and William Street. Further funding is required to complete the pedestrianisation of this area. 8

9 Proposed Town Centre Infrastructure Proposals Emmett Square Public Transport Hub North Western Quadrant and North Eastern Quadrant (including Green Street) - Improved set down for buses, increased bicycle parking, removal of car parking spaces, substantially reducing traffic movements within the town square, via a phased basis South Eastern Quadrant - Improved set down for buses, increased bicycle parking, removal of car parking spaces, substantially reducing traffic movements within the town square, via a phased basis South Western Quadrant - Improved set down for buses, increased bicycle parking, removal of car parking spaces, substantially reducing traffic movements within the town square, via a phased basis Priority in Strategy High High Medium Pedestrian Priority Streets William Street to Cornmarket Street to Main Street via Marian Hall Car Park - to improve pedestrian connectivity between the Castle and Birr Town Centre Connaught Street and Mill Street (including pedestrian access to Birr Civic Offices via Orchard and/ or Church Grounds) Bridge Street pedestrian bridge Promotion of e-cars (Charge point already established in town centre car park) 9 High High Medium Five potential cycle routes have been identified in the strategy along the main vehicular arteries of Birr that would connect key destinations (workplaces, schools, residential areas, sports grounds, and shopping destinations) to Birr Town Centre. Funding is being requested for 4 at this time. The cycle routes will comprise on-road segregated cycle lanes separated from traffic via white lines, and other measures where continuous cycle lanes are not possible. Proposed Cycling Zone Infrastructure Proposals Route 1 R439 Eden Road to Emmett Square (part complete) via Model School Road and Green Street. This route provides access to and connects St. Brendan s Community School, the Model National School, and residential areas to Birr Town Centre. Route 2 N52 Tullamore Road to Emmett Square via Melsop Street, Townsend Street, and Emmett Street. This route connects to the existing cycle facilities on Tullamore Road and connects a number of residential areas to Birr Town Centre. Route 3 R440 Syngefield to Emmett Square via Elm Grove, Newbridge Street, John s Mall, and Johns Place. This route provides access to and connects Birr Business Park (Shannon Development) and Birr Town Centre. Route 4 N52 Railway Road to Emmett Square via Wilmer Road and John s Place. This route provides access to and connects Tesco s, St. Brendan s GAA grounds, Birr Civic Office, and Birr Town Centre. Priority in Strategy High High Medium Medium Briefly outline details of how proposed infrastructural measures will be supported by allied behavioural change interventions. The proposed infrastructural measures detailed above will be complemented by an intensive Active Travel Campaign. Travel Awareness and Marketing - an awareness programme will be developed to both inform the public of Active Travel and also to promote and educate the importance of Active Travel. An Active Travel Manager will be appointed (on a part-time basis from within) by Birr Town Council to implement the actions (detailed in the Table below). Support from established entities in the town (e.g. Chamber of Commerce and Tidy Towns) would be developed. Ambassadors and delivery partners will be created.

10 A strong brand for the Active Travel programme will be developed, with a clear local identity and a positive tone. Information and publicity materials will be widely distributed, using websites, door drops, information counters, newsagents, community centres, employers, hotels, health centres, local radio stations, local newspapers and town centre banners. A series of events and activities to engage with the community to promote Active Travel will include:- Behavioural change intervention/actions Health campaigns in partnership with the health centre, and GPs challenging people to walk or cycle, to improve their health and fitness Working with sports clubs (Birr GAA club, Birr Soccer Club etc.) to encourage children and adults to walk or cycle to school/ work and training Walk/ cycle to the shops campaign local traders will be actively encouraged to provide discounts and incentives to shoppers that walk and cycle to their shops, encouraging trade in Birr Town Centre Workplace and school newsletters businesses and schools will be sent regular information regarding Birr Active Travel activities Bike week cycling related activities with schools and workplaces throughout the town. Car free days - activities to promote alternatives to travelling by car Community events Birr active travel Towns will tie in with local events, (vintage week, game and country fair). Cycle training and road safety education for schools, workplaces, and communities (sports clubs, social clubs, etc.) Travel Awareness Advertising - Birr Active Travel logo; Street banners on railings outside schools and tourist attractions (Birr Castle etc); Branded merchandise; and Website Active Travel page on Offaly County Councils website with updates, forums, walking and cycling routes, cycle parking locations etc. Travel Planning- All schools, workplaces, and households within Birr town and Environs will receive a travel plan (a tool for managing the travel generated by an organisation (school, workplace, or household) with the aim of improving health outcomes, saving money for individuals, organisations, and reducing traffic congestion. It will look at how to reduce the number of vehicles generated by walking and cycling. The travel plan will focus on how to encourage the people of Birr to look at their car use and choose healthier, cheaper alternatives. Infrastructure such as changing facilities, bike storage, incentives such as discounts on bikes, public transport or branded merchandise, for example will be included in the Travel Plan. The Active Travel Manager within Birr Town Council will support households, schools, and organisations by: Provision of information with tips and suggestions; Links to cycling skill training programmes and other health and safety providers; and Improved public infrastructure for safer/easier walking and cycling throughout the study area (as detailed previously). The Active Travel Planning proposals are:- Action School Travel Plans All schools within Birr Town shall be encouraged to have a School Travel Plan. Schools could participate in the Green- Schools programme, a hugely successful travel behaviour change programme run by An Taisce, which is supported by the Department of Transport and National Transport Authority. As part of their Action Plan, participating schools set their own Travel targets, with the ultimate aim of increasing the number of pupils walking or cycling to school. It should be noted that all national schools have now achieved green schools status in recent years. Our proposal will build on existing pupil awareness. 10

11 Workplace Travel Plans Workplace travel plans should be encouraged at all existing and proposed companies and businesses in Birr to promote walking and cycling to work. E-Working will also be actively encouraged. The benefits of introducing workplace travel plans include the following: Released land opportunity per car space no longer required; Improved accessibility to the workplace for staff and visitors; and Reduced demand on parking. The introduction of Workplace Travel Plans (WTP) will comprise the following; Working with employees to address perceptions and practical difficulties in overcoming car dependency; Provision of on-site measures to make cycling and walking safer and more attractive; and Providing incentives to walk and cycle to work Household Travel Plans Household travel planning is a process used to engage in conversation with residents of Birr to discuss individual travel behaviour and to provide advice and information to encourage a switch towards more walking and cycling. The initial engagement phase should focus on offering personal travel advice to households within Birr Town. All households in the area will receive an initial letter to introduce and explain the concept. All households would then be targeted by a trained travel advisor through door knocking. Where contact is made the travel advisor discuses current travel behaviour with the resident/household and offers information, resources and incentives to prompt a change in attitude and travel behaviour in favour of more walking and cycling. Resources such as walking maps, cycle information, will be given to all households 11

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14 Section 3: Project Costs 2014 to 2016 For each project element provide : Key costs/works (e.g. infrastructure, land purchasing, clearance works, repair works etc.) Behavioural change Evaluation measures (including before and after measurement costs) Project Element Emmett Square Public Transport Hub North Western Quadrant and North Eastern Quadrant (including Green Street) - Improved set down for buses, increased bicycle parking, substantially reducing traffic movements within the town square, via a phased basis Estimated Cost ( ) Requested DTT&S contribution ( ) 470, ,000 Planned drawdown date 2014/2015 (stage payments) before and after evaluation measures 30,000 15, South Eastern Quadrant - Improved set down for buses, increased bicycle parking, substantially reducing traffic movements within the town square, via a phased basis 225, , /2015 (stage payments) before and after evaluation measures 15,000 7,

15 South Western Quadrant - Improved set down for buses, increased bicycle parking, removal of car parking spaces, substantially reducing traffic movements within the town square, via a phased basis 95,000 47, /2015 (stage payments) before and after evaluation measures 5,000 2, Pedestrian Priority Streets William Street to Cornmarket Street to Main Street via Marian Hall Car Park - to improve pedestrian connectivity between the Castle and Birr Town Centre (These works were a high priority for the town, works undertook in 2012/2013 using own resources. Some additional paving, lighting, signage measures are outstanding funds required) 80,000 45, (stage payments) before and after evaluation measures 20,000 5, Connaught Street and Mill Street (including pedestrian access to Birr Civic Offices via Orchard and/ or Church Grounds) 265, , /2015 (stage payments) before and after evaluation measures 5,000 2, Bridge Street pedestrian bridge 70,000 37, /2015 (stage payments) before and after evaluation measures 5,000 2, Route 1 R439 Eden Road to Emmett Square (part complete) via Model School Road and Green Street. This route provides access to and connects St. Brendan s Community School, the Model National School, and residential areas to Birr Town Centre. 19,000 9,500 end 2014 before and after evaluation measures 1, Route 2 N52 Tullamore Road to Emmett Square via Melsop Street, Townsend Street, and Emmett Street. This route connects to the Soccer Field and existing cycle facilities on Tullamore Road and connects a number of residential areas to Birr Town Centre. 38,000 19,000 end 2014 before and after evaluation measures 2,000 1, Route 3 R440 Syngefield to Emmett Square via Elm Grove, Newbridge Street, John s Mall, and Johns Place. This route provides access to and connects Birr Business Park (Shannon Development) and Birr Town Centre. 22,000 11,000 end 2014 before and after evaluation measures 1, Route 4 N52 Railway Road to Emmett Square via Wilmer Road and John s Place. This route provides access to and connects Tesco s, St. Brendan s GAA grounds, Birr Civic Office, and Birr Town Centre ,000 24,000 end 2014 before and after evaluation measures 2,000 1,

16 Health campaigns in partnership with the health centre, and GPs challenging people to walk or cycle, to improve their health and fitness Working with sports clubs (Birr GAA club, Birr Soccer Club etc.) to encourage children and adults to walk or cycle to school/ work and training Walk/ cycle to the shops campaign local traders will be actively encouraged to provide discounts and incentives to shoppers that walk and cycle to their shops, encouraging trade in Birr Town Centre Workplace and school newsletters businesses and schools will be sent regular information regarding Birr Active Travel activities Bike week cycling related activities with schools and workplaces throughout the town. Car free days - activities to promote alternatives to travelling by car Community events Birr active travel Towns will tie in with local events, (vintage week, game and country fair). Cycle training and road safety education for schools, workplaces, and communities (sports clubs, social clubs, etc.) Travel Awareness Advertising - Birr Active Travel logo; Street banners on railings outside schools and tourist attractions (Birr Castle etc); Branded merchandise; and Website Active Travel page on Offaly County Councils website with updates, forums, walking and cycling routes, cycle parking locations etc. School Travel Plans All schools within Birr Town will have a School Travel Plan. Workplace Travel Plans Workplace travel plans will be encouraged at all existing and proposed companies and businesses in Birr Household Travel Plans All households would then be targeted by a trained travel advisor through door knocking. Resources such as walking maps, cycle information, will be given to all households. Total (Cost of Proposal per head of population) 1,000 included in infrastructure funding included in infrastructur e funding 1,000 included included 1,000 included included 1,000 included included 5,000 included included 5,000 included included 1,000 included included 2,000 included included 5,000 included included 5,000 5,000 2,016 5,000 5,000 2,016 5,000 5,000 2,016 1,455,000 (c. 330) 954,000-16

17 Section 4: Evaluation Methodology, Targets for Modal Shift and Delivery reports Provide proposals for an evidence based assessment of potential demand in terms of local users and potential visitor and tourist user numbers. Briefly outline the percentage target change in travel modes and how this change will be measured by local authorities. Evaluation reports will be requested by the Department on completion of the project. N.B. It should be noted that in previous programmes, insufficient emphasis was given by Local Authorities to the evaluation of the projects once completed. This section should include information on how local authorities plan to measure shift in travel modes, the current cycling and walking percentages, the targets for increasing walking and cycling and their plans to measure this change. Applications received under this round must also include an evidence based assessment of potential demand in terms of local users and potential visitor and tourist user numbers. Assessment should include evidence based estimates of annual user numbers and impact on local economy, including in terms of job creation. Failure to prepare adequately for this element could result in an unsuccessful application. The aims of our monitoring and evaluation programme are:- to provide a baseline against which outcomes of interventions can be measured, to produce an assessment of the impact that interventions have made assessment information will guide us in developing our projects over the duration of the programme. The evaluation and monitoring process of the programme will include development of a monitoring plan at the outset and ongoing checks of monitoring processes. This would ensure that, that count sites are in optimal locations, and that data collection is progressing as planned. The proposed monitoring and evaluation strategy will comprise the following: Clear objectives Automatic traffic, pedestrian, and cycle counters; Attendance at events; Monitoring school, workplace and residential travel planning; Focus groups; Telephone surveys; Travel diaries. Regular updates progress reports; Demonstrating success and building business cases; Learning lessons to improve future programmes; The existing (2012) automatic traffic, and cycle and pedestrian counts (undertaken for the submission of the Strategy in 2012), details much of the baseline of the baseline data. Monitoring and evaluation against targets and indicators will be on-going. Alterations to the programme will be reviewed, where a target is not on track Baseline data will include CSO Information household surveys to gather information on residents travel behaviour, mode choices, attitudes, barriers, etc. This would help to gain an understanding of travel behaviour before, during, and after the project. The existing automatic traffic, cycle, and pedestrian count, The monitoring plan will Assess the outcomes from individual measures Monitoring of workplace travel including staff surveys Measurements of Success will include the following performance indicators:- Reductions in proportions of residents car trips; %increases in the levels of cycling and walking (by residents and visitors); Number of new cycle facilities (parking, lanes, etc.) installed; Number of new pedestrian facilities (crossings, pedestrian priority streets, pedestrianised streets, etc.) installed; Number of schools with travel plans; Number of workplaces with travel plans; Increase in tourism activity related to walking and cycling in Birr; Number of hits on Birr Walking and Cycling website; and Attendance at events. 17

18 However, the ultimate success of the programme would be evaluated against the level of modal shift achieved i.e. the transfer of drivers from existing single car occupancy journeys to walking and cycling for some or all of their trips. This would be measured against the baseline mode split obtained from the Census as detailed in the Birr Walking and Cycling Strategy A steering group will also be established. The steering group will comprise representatives from Birr Town Council Offaly County Council. Councillors, staff involved in developing the project. Chamber of Commerce, Birr tidy town, cycling groups Wolftrap cycling club, Birr s long established and successful cycling club. schools Implementation Plan ( ) - the Active Travel programme for Birr for the next ten years shall include the following delivery actions: Detailed design and rollout of the walking and cycling infrastructural measures; Dedicated people working with businesses - to set up workplace travel plans, aiming to cover the entire workforce over a period of about five years; A rolling programme of household travel planning, targeting at least 500 to 1,000 people each year, probably neighbourhood by neighbourhood, increasing the number of walking, cycling and bus trips; A rolling programme to develop school travel plans, covering every school in the area over five years; A broader travel awareness campaign, underpinning the more targeted initiatives; and Active Travel should be integrated with other policies, documents, and processes for Birr Town. An Active Travel programme for Birr shall ensure the necessary time, commitment, and resources are available from a full time Active Travel Manager. An Active Travel steering group shall be established and should comprise a balance of skill sets containing both behaviour change and traffic and transport engineering. Programme Targets - targets for Birr Active Travel programme over a ten year period: To increase pedestrian and cycle activity in Birr for all trips (recreational, shopping, work, etc.); To increase walking as a means of travel to work or education to 35% by 2022, therefore achieving an increase of 10%; To increase cycling as a means of travel to work or education (or part of the trip) to ensure that 10% of all such trips within Birr are taken by bicycle by 2022, therefore achieving an increase of 7%; To reduce the modal share for car driver/ passenger as a means of travel to work or education to 45% by 2022, therefore achieving a decrease of 15%; Ensure all schools would have a travel plan; Ensure all employers would be covered by a workplace travel plan; and To offer personalised travel advice and information to all residents of Birr. 18

19 Section 5: Project synergies Outline specifically (1) How the project aligns with other existing transport, tourism and sport programmes/locations (e.g. other infrastructural smarter travel programmes, Green Schools programme, Work place travel planning, tourist attractions/visitor centres etc.) (2) Precise proposed project promotion and information dissemination measures. (3) User monitoring and review proposals. (4) Staffing and other resources committed to the project Q. Outline Specifically How the project aligns with other existing transport, tourism and sport programmes/locations (e.g. other infrastructural smarter travel programmes, Green Schools programme, Work place travel planning, tourist attractions/visitor centres etc.) The Strategy supports Offaly County Council s alternative transport initiatives, as identified in the Birr Town & Environs Development Plan It was also prepared to align with:- Offaly County Councils County Development Plan ; Offaly County Councils Birr Town & Environs Development Plan ; Birr Land-Use and Transportation Study 2007 (Birr LUTS 2007); Public Realm Plan for Birr (April 2009); The Department of Transport s Smarter Travel A Sustainable Transport Future ( ); and The Department of Transport s National Cycle Policy Framework ( ). The walking and cycling infrastructural recommendations have been prepared with reference to relevant guidance documents, including the following: Traffic Management Guidelines, issued by the Department of Transport, the Dublin Transportation Office, and the Department of the Environment and Local Government; National Cycle Manual 2011, published by the National Transport Authority; and Cycle by Design 2010, published by Transport Scotland, This strategy also had at its core Active Travel Towns initiative aims: To achieve the national cycle policy target of 10% of all trips (commuting and recreational) to be made by bike by 2020, delivery of increased cycling and walking mode share in urban areas is necessary. To achieve modal shift from car to either walking and/or cycling. The provision of safer routes for people to travel by bike or on foot; A reduction in short-distance car journeys through the availability of good quality travel information and alternative infrastructure; Community involvement; Improved walking and cycling access to public transport; and Tie-in with schools/colleges and workplace plans both through existing programmes and new linkages. It is the stated aim of Birr Town development plan to...market Birr as a green cycle/transport town. Having regard to short distance trips within Birr Town and environs, it is the Councils policy to encourage and facilitate the shift from private car to different modes of transport, such as walking, cycling and environmentally friendly methods of travel. The integration of environmentally friendly/smart methods for short-distance travel, along with the car-user, will make Birr a safer, pleasant, and efficient town in which to live, work, do business, and visit. 19

20 It is Offaly County Councils policy to:...continue the programme of improvement of footpaths/cycle paths throughout the town and to further develop/extend the network of interlinked pedestrian/cycle routes throughout the town and environs. (BTEP 08-06) It is an objective of Offaly County Council to: Commission a Cycle Network and Parking Study for the town and environs. The Cycle Network and Parking Study will add an overall strategic framework to this policy. Within this framework, the following members of the community will need to be closely involved in order to achieve a quality network of routes: Schools; Businesses and tourist operators; and Residents. (BTEO 08-03) Public Realm Plan for Birr (2009) - One of the main aims of this Plan is to enhance the environmental quality of Birr Town for the benefit of its residents, businesses, and visitors. The Plan details proposed improvements to the towns pedestrian and cycle infrastructure to achieve this aim. The Plan sets out proposals to provide a safe, attractive, and good quality pedestrian environment, day and night, through the provision of: Improved walking conditions (e.g. Camcor River Park); Expanded footways; Improved lighting; Balance pedestrian and vehicular space in particular within the Town Centre. The Plan proposes that a comprehensive cycle network be introduced to Birr, formally designating appropriate routes for bicycle use. Established in tandem with efforts to relieve vehicular congestion and reduce speeds via traffic calming, the bicycle should be promoted as a viable and safe alternative to car travel. Q. Outline Specifically Precise proposed project promotion and information dissemination measures. The project will be complemented by an intensive Active Travel Campaign An Active Travel Manager will be appointed. Ambassadors and delivery partners will be created from established entities in the town (e.g. Chamber of Commerce and Tidy Towns) A strong brand for the Active Travel programme will be developed, with a clear local identity and a positive tone. Information and publicity materials will be widely distributed, using websites, door drops, information counters, newsagents, community centres, employers, hotels, health centres, local radio stations, local newspapers and town centre banners. A series of events and activities to engage with the community to promote Active Travel including:- Health campaigns; Working with local sports clubs; Walk/ cycle to the shops campaign; Workplace and school newsletters; Bike week advertising on local media; Car free days advertised on local media Birr active travel Towns will have a presence at and will tie into local events, (vintage week, game and country fair). Travel Awareness Advertising - Birr Active Travel logo; Street banners on railings outside schools and tourist attractions (Birr Castle etc); Branded merchandise; and Website Active Travel page on Offaly County Councils website with updates, forums, walking and cycling routes, cycle parking locations etc. Travel Planning- All schools, workplaces, and households within Birr town and Environs will receive a travel plan i.e. All schools within Birr Town shall be encouraged to have a School Travel Plan; Workplace travel plans will be encouraged at all existing and proposed companies and businesses in Birr; All households would then be targeted by a trained travel advisor through door knocking. Resources such as walking maps, cycle information, will be given to all households. E-car s promotion 20

21 Q. Outline Specifically User monitoring and review proposals. The monitoring process will include development of a monitoring plan at the outset and ongoing checks. This will ensure that count sites are in optimal locations, and that data collection is progressing as planned. The proposed monitoring strategy will comprise the following: Clear objectives and key performance indicators; Automatic traffic, pedestrian, and cycle counters; Attendance at events; Monitoring school, workplace and residential travel planning; Travel diaries. Regular updates progress reports; A large volume of existing (2012) automatic traffic, and cycle and pedestrian counts, will be used as part of the baseline data.household surveys will be used to gather information on residents travel behaviour, mode choices, attitudes, barriers, etc. throughout the period of the programme. This would help to gain an understanding of travel behaviour before, during, and after the project. Other data sources including the existing automatic traffic, cycle, and pedestrian count, would be used to enhance and verify the household surveys. As part of the initial monitoring plan, data shall be collected to assess the outcomes from individual measures (detailed in Section 4.0). The measurement and quantification of the successful implementation of Birr Walking and Cycling Strategy at the end of a ten year tenure would be measured against a number of key performance indicators as follows: Reductions in proportions of residents car trips; Levels of cycling and walking (by residents and visitors); Number of new cycle facilities (parking, lanes, etc.) installed; Number of new pedestrian facilities (crossings, pedestrian priority streets, pedestrianised streets, etc.) installed; Number of schools with travel plans; Number of workplaces with travel plans; Increase in tourism activity related to walking and cycling in Birr; Number of hits on Birr Walking and Cycling website; and Attendance at events. The success of the programme will be evaluated against the level of modal shift achieved and subsequently the transfer of drivers from existing single car occupancy journeys to walking and cycling for some or all of their trips. This would be measured against the baseline mode split obtained from the Census as detailed in the Birr Strategy. The above information will feed into ongoing reviews thereafter Lessons learned will then feed into future programmes. A cycle of monitor and review will thus continue for a 10 year period. Q. Outline Specifically Staffing and other resources committed to the project The Town Manager, Town Clerk, Town Engineer, Town Foreman, Assistant Engineer, Town Technician and a number of clerical staff whilst not exclusively aligned to this project, have to date been deeply committed to the delivery of cycling and walking infrastructure in the town. A successful outcome would see at least 1.0WTE technical staff (assigned active town manager for Birr) and 0.5 WTE clerical staff committing full time to the project for They would be supported by their colleagues which would be an additional 0.5WTE. Where possible and if permitted, members of outdoor staff will undertake elements of the work. 21

22 In short, and proven in the past with the Smart Travel projects, Birr town Council will fully commit all staff necessary to ensure the project is delivered, including soft measures as stated herein. The cost breakdown as detailed in section 3.0 outlines the likely cost of all elements of our proposal. Birr Town Council are committed to securing, (either through existing funds or through other means) more than half the funding, in excess of 1million euro to ensure the implementation of these proposals. Birr town council has been successful is securing funding previously for Smarter travel projects, namely the lighting of pedestrian walkways through our redeveloped parks and the provision of new walking infrastructure within Birr's parks. Both projects have seen a marked increase in the volume of pedestrian traffic entering and using the parks, both for recreation and as part of their commute to work and school. Section 6: Community Involvement Outline evidence of community support including engagement and commitment of local and voluntary business group to Smarter Travel. It is clear from existing ongoing projects under Smarter Travel that those which have the support and the positive engagement of the local and business communities best deliver targets for modal shift. Details of how we will engage with the local residents and business community are detailed herein, which as in past will ensure the ultimate success of the project. In advance of recent developments under the heading of Smarter Travel/Active Towns, The Birr Public Realm Plan outlined a strategy to enhance the town including walking and cycling in the town. Birr chamber of commerce have been extremely welcoming of these developments which included Streetscape improvements, parks developments, and one-waying of town centre streets. Etc. Birr chamber of commerce have indeed gotten involved and in some instances, financed projects to promote the pedestrianisation of the town centre including, erection to street signage and supporting footpath improvements in the town centre to encourage full accessibility. Offaly County Council and Birr Town Council have recognised that community engagement must be followed by tangible outcomes and genuine feedback in order to avoid disillusionment with the process and to capitalise on participation, to this end we have established an internal steering group tasked with ensuring implementation of the Birr Public Realm Strategy. This group, consisting of the Town Manager, Town Clerk, Town Planner, Town Engineer, County Heritage Officer, County Architect and Town Planner, meets monthly and ensures that actionable objectives continue to be pursued. In addition Birr town council have established a group comprising (amongst others, Birr tidy towns, Birr Chamber of Commerce, Birr Gardai) to advance the proposals contained in the The Birr Public Realm Plan and more recently the Birr walking and cycling strategy, to make the town centre more pedestrian friendly. Car parks have been enhanced on the periphery of the town to encourage walking within the urban zone. Other community groups that have assisted with recent enhancements include:- Birr Chamber of Commerce Birr Tidy Town Association Birr Lions Club Birr Castle and Demesne Birr Historical Society Offaly Local Development Company Shannon Development It is now agreed that Local businesses, employers, and other relevant local bodies/organisations will all be assigned ownership of the Active Travel strategy, will aid in ensuring its delivery, and implementation of its actions. Furthermore, there would be input from a number of stakeholders involved in supporting the project, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Birr tidy town, cycling groups, schools etc. The steering group would also provide the necessary link to ensure that there is ongoing political involvement to the project. 22