Active Travel Towns Funding Scheme 2014-2016 Project Proposal for Sligo by Sligo Local Authorities
Introduction Over the last two years, Sligo Local Authorities have implemented years 1 & 2 of their 5 year Walking and Cycling Strategy under the Active Travel Towns initiative. This has been very successful in Sligo and the intention is to continue the momentum and build on this success. This proposal is to continue the implementation of the Strategy focusing on the Finisklin area, the largest Industrial Estate and one of the areas of greatest employment centres in Sligo, and to continue the implementation of the behavioural change measures throughout Sligo. A 5 year Walking and Cycling Strategy was completed for Sligo in early 2012. The strategy involves a combination of the provision of cycling and walking Infrastructure linking the population centres to the main centres of Employment, Third Level College, Secondary & Primary Schools, leisure areas and the Town Centre, creating a pedestrian & cycling priority core Town centre and the introduction of measures to help change people s behaviour in the mode of transport they use in their everyday lives. At that time, the walking infrastructure was acceptable, but the cycling infrastructure was lagging behind. There was a large gap in the cycling infrastructure required to successfully provide the linkages outlined above. Sligo was fortunate to receive funding under the previous Active Travel Towns scheme to implement the first two years of the Strategy. Cycling infrastructure has been put in place linking population centres to the destination targets identified in the Strategy for Years 1 & 2. Workplace Travel Planning, cycle training, mapping and P.R. campaigns are on-going and there is a real sense of Sligo s Active Travel Town status being realised. This Active Travel Towns proposal aims to continue the momentum built up in Sligo by the provision of further cycling infrastructure in a targeted area and to continue with the softer measures to encourage people to use the infrastructure provided. 2014 will be a significant year for the promotion of Active Travel Towns in Sligo. Sligo has been awarded European Town of sport 2014 and the initiatives to encourage people to be active and healthy as part of their everyday lives (i.e. commuting to work, school and college) all tie in with this recognition of a Town which actively encourages recreation, leisure and sporting activities for all. The All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil Music Festival is also being held in Sligo in 2014. This is estimated to attract 300,000 visitors to Sligo. Sligo is adopting a Green Festival approach and walking and cycling will be the modes of transport actively encouraged and facilitated during the festival. Origin and destination maps will be produced with journey times included for the different modes of transport. Population The population covered by this proposal is 19,452 living within Sligo & Environs, a distance of 3km from the centre point of the Borough (17,568 inside 1.5km). Although the area for
infrastructure is targeted at an area north west of Sligo Town, its use will be widespread and the softer measures will reach all of Sligo & Environs and beyond. Modal Shift s The baseline data for the modal shift targets outlined in the Walking & cycling Strategy are based on travel figures from the 2006 Census. These modal shift targets remain the same but the baseline data has been updated for this proposal and is based on the more recent 2011 Census travel data. The 2011 figures vary a little from the 2006 data. The biggest change is the actual number of people travelling decreasing from 12,852 in 2006 to 10,372 in 2011. The percentages travelling by foot and bicycle are almost the same, but the percentage travelling by car in 2011 is a disappointing 60% as opposed to 55% in 2011. This however does not change the targets we are aiming to achieve in the Strategy. The following is a comparison of the numbers and percentages travelling to work, school and college by the different modes of transport from the Sligo & Environs area using the 2006 data (Original Strategy) and the 2011 data (This Proposal): 2006 Numbers 2006 Percentages 2011 Numbers 2011 Percentages Total Population 19,154 19,452 by Foot 3,855 30% 3,022 29% by Bicycle 257 2% 212 2% by Bus 642 5% 297 3% by Car 7,068 55% 6,219 60% (Inc. Passenger) Working From (No Data) (No Data) 123 1% Home Other 1,028 8% 499 5% Total 12,852 100% 10,372 100% 92% of these people are travelling within 1.6km of Sligo Town Centre and 8% are travelling within 3km of Sligo Town centre. The figures show a very good percentage for those travelling by foot (29%) This is mirrored by the continuous investment in walking infrastructure footpaths, pedestrian crossings and traffic light sequencing over the years. The strategy is therefore more focused on the provision of cycling infrastructure, with the continued improvements to the walking infrastructure. The cycling infrastructure in Sligo has improved greatly since 2011 with the provision of the Strandhill to Sligo Commuter route, and the implementation of Year 1 & 2 of Sligo s Walking and Cycling Strategy. Spine routes have been provided from residential areas to the Town
centre with some linkages provided. The Active Travel Town label is really catching on and the increase in the number of commuting cyclists is clearly visible. Surveys are now taking place to try to determine the modal shift from travelling by car to cycling since the figure of 2% was recorded. We are confident that this figure has increased. The momentum however needs to continue in order to reach the 2016 Strategy targets. With continued support, and based on the geography of Sligo and the populations living within 3km of the Town Centre these targets are achievable. Using the 2011 census figures as a baseline, the following are the target figures for modal shift from Sligo & Environs, per year, over the five year period from 2012 2016: Year Total Population Number by Foot % by Foot Number by Bicycle % by Bicycle Number by Bus % by Bus Number by Car / Car Passenger % by Car / Car Passenger Number of Other % of Other Total 2011 19,452 3,022 29% 212 2% 297 3% 6,219 60% 622 6% 10,372 2012 19,452 3,112 30% 415 4% 519 5% 5,497 53% 830 8% 10,372 2013 19,452 3,319 32% 726 7% 519 5% 4,979 48% 830 8% 10,372 2014 19,452 3,319 32% 1,037 10% 519 5% 4,667 45% 830 8% 10,372 2015 19,452 3,526 34% 1,348 13% 519 5% 4,149 40% 830 8% 10,372 2016 19,452 3,526 34% 1,660 16% 519 5% 3,838 37% 830 8% 10,372 The target is: To increase the modal share of cycling from 2% to 16%, an increase in numbers from 212 to 1660 (1,448) To increase the modal share of walking from 29% to 34%, an increase in numbers from 3,022 to 3,526 (504). To decrease the modal share of car travel from 60% to 37%, a decrease in numbers from 6,219 to 3,838 (2,381). The following summarises the target increase figures for walking and cycling and the consequent target decrease figures for car travel from the Sligo & Environs area: Year Numbers by Foot Increase in numbers by foot Numbers by Bicycle Increase in numbers by bicycle Numbers by Car / Car Passenger Decrease in Numbers by Car / Car Passenger 2011 3,022 0 212 0 6,219 0 2012 3,112 90 415 203 5,497 722
2013 3,319 297 726 514 4,979 1,240 2014 3,319 297 1,037 825 4,667 1,552 2015 3,526 504 1,348 1,136 4,149 2,070 2016 3,526 504 1,660 1,448 3,838 2,381
Proposal Elements The Proposal is divided into two parts: 1. The provision of infrastructure and 2. The continued roll out of Behavioural Change initiatives. Provision of Infrastructure Provision of Link Cycle Lanes As per year 1 & 2 of Sligo s Walking and Cycling Strategy, Cycle lanes have been provided on the Spine routes from the residential areas to the Town centre and link routes have been provided to the employment and educational centres. This proposal focuses on the Finisklin area of Sligo, the largest Industrial Estate and one of the areas of greatest employment in Sligo. It will link the residential areas west of Sligo Town and the Town Centre to this area. This will enable cyclists travel from all directions of Sligo, using the existing cycle lanes and proposed new cycle lanes, to the Finisklin Industrial Estate. The following are the proposed Link Cycle Lanes to be provided: 1 First Sea Road 2 Finisklin Industrial Estate Road 3 Finisklin Road 4 Finisklin Road 2 5 Joe Banks Road 6 Lynn's Place Junction (See Appendix 1 for maps of individual routes proposed) Circulatory Route around Sligo Core Town Centre & Traffic Calm Town Centre The Circulatory Route around the core Town Centre as outlined in the Strategy has been provided. This route is junction numbered and very well signposted. A map of the circulatory route has been produced and it even has its own twitter account! This is enabling traffic calming measures to be put in place in the core Town Centre. The next step is to reduce the speed limit in the core Town Centre (side the circulatory route), to 30kph. This process has begun. Type of Cycle Lanes to be provided
The type of cycle lane to be provided on each of the routes listed above are predominately Raised Cycle Lanes and Junction Improvements. The design of each proposed new route will be examined carefully in accordance with the National Cycling Guidelines and the DTTAS Design Manual for Roads and Streets. Particular attention will be given to junctions. All junctions will be designed and provided for in accordance with the National Cycling Guidelines. Bicycle Parking A total of 112 public bicycle parking stands have been installed in various locations Sligo Town & Environs allowing for the safe parking of 224 bicycles. These locations include key institutional, recreational, cultural and retail facilities in Sligo. This was deemed satisfactory up until the introduction of the new cycle lanes over the last two years. However, a central location is now required to house a large bicycle parking facility in the Town Centre. A timely introduction of a covered bicycle stand to house a minimum of 40 bicycles would tie in very well with the other cycling initiatives taking place in Sligo. Behavioural Change Sligo Local Authorities are involved in a number of behavioural change initiatives as part of the previous Active Travel Towns initiative. These initiatives need to be on going as changing people s behaviour and maintaining that change requires regular support and encouragement. The following is the range of behavioural change measures that are ongoing in Sligo as part of Active Travel Towns. Workplace Travel Planning Sligo Local Authorities are currently working with a number of Sligo's main employers to encourage commuting to work - Sligo County Council, Abbott Ireland, Social Welfare Offices, Sligo General Hospital and Sligo I.T. It is a slow process and will involve continuous liaison and encouragement but it will be worth it in order to facilitate tangible changes in modes of transport. A lot of work has been done in particular with Sligo I.T. Students have designed Workplace Travel Plans via their final year projects following the gathering of detailed travel survey data from both students and staff. The liaison with the above companies will continue and this proposal includes working with the companies in the Finisklin Industrial Estate. As previously alluded to, change does not come overnight and liaison with these companies in workplace travel planning needs to continue throughout the life of the Strategy and beyond. Green Schools
Sligo s An Taisce s Green Schools Education Officer actively works with the Sligo schools on the travel theme, and Sligo County Council is in constant liaison with the Education Officer regarding improved safety issues at schools and the provision of Infrastructure. This positive relationship with the An Taisce s Green Schools Education Officer will continue, and Sligo County Council will continue support the work of the Education Officer over the duration of the Strategy and beyond. Cycle Training Through the Green Schools Programme, cycle training will continue to be rolled out in schools. The provision of Cycle Training for Adults has been rolled out as part of the workplace travel planning and this will continue. This is a very positive initiative as there is a large section of the adult population who are nervous cycling alongside traffic, even within a dedicated cycle lane. Sligo Town has an excellent location for bicycle training at its 10km totally off road cycling and walking track at Doorly Park and Cleveragh Regional Park. People Start cycling on Leisure Routes Project Promotion Sligo County Council has embarked on an Active Travel Towns P.R. Campaign as part of our previous Active Travel Towns project. The following initiatives have taken place or are in train: A dedicated 'Sligo Active Travel Towns' website is about to be launched A Map of Routes (origin & destination based) is being updated to include the new infrastructure provided (in 2012 & 2013), both hard and soft copies. Local Media slots radio and newspaper on project update, safe cycling and general cycling & walking issues. Press releases need to be more regular. Sligo Local Authorities are continuing to work with Sligo Sports Partnership and the local Cycling Clubs in promoting events such as the An Post Cycle, Bike Week Events and in the delivery of cycle training and P.R. Events. The award of European Town of Sport 2014 will give the Local Authority a further avenue to promote the Active Travel Towns initiatives via clubs, schools and communities throughout Sligo. Project Evaluation As mentioned above, Sligo Local Authorities are working closely with I.T. Sligo on our current Active Travel Towns project. The students carried out targeted travel surveys in 2012 and these are continuing in 2013. The baseline data for the Active Travel Towns
project will include 2012 and 2013 data as the 2012 data is not extensive enough. It is planned to carry out targeted travel surveys every year for at least the lifetime of the strategy to enable the recording of the gradual changes and the views of the public. Traffic and bicycle counters have also been employed as part of the project and again it is intended to continue to record traffic and bicycle counts regularly throughout the lifetime of the Strategy and beyond. The following methods of assessment of Deliverables are employed as part of the strategy: ed Household Travel Surveys before and after the implementation of measures ed Workplace Travel Surveys before and after the implementation of measures Comparing the baseline 2011 Travel Census data (before) with the 2016 Travel Census data (after) Traffic & bicycle Counters on specific routes on at least six monthly basis The P.R. Campaign will encourage feedback from the public / users as the project develops.
Schedule of Works 2014 2016 2014 Develop the link Roads at Finisklin as follows: First Sea Road Finisklin Industrial Estate Road Finisklin Road Finisklin Road 2 Ongoing Footpath Improvements Traffic Calming in Town Centre Core Introduction of 30kpm in Sligo Town Centre Core, inside Circulatory Route this will involve significant P.R. also Continue Workplace Travel Planning in Companies where work has commenced and begin liaising with companies in the Finisklin Industrial Estate Ongoing Liaison with Green Schools Ongoing Cycling Training for Adults to include companies in the Finisklin Industrial Estate Continuous updating of dedicated Website and Route Maps Ongoing P.R. Campaign in with Local Media Ongoing liaison with Sligo Sports Partnership and the local Cycling Clubs 2015 Develop the link Roads at Finisklin as follows: Joe Banks Road Lynn's Place Junction Provide sheltered Bicycle Parking in the Town Centre 2015 & 2016 Ongoing Footpath Improvements Traffic Calming in Town Centre Continue Workplace Travel Planning in Companies where work has commenced
Ongoing Liaison with Green Schools Ongoing Cycling Training for Adults Continuous updating of dedicated Website and Route Maps Ongoing P.R. Campaign in with Local Media Ongoing liaison with Sligo Sports Partnership and the local Cycling Clubs
CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS Map No. Route No. Name Location Route Type Distance Link Types Cost 2014 103 3 First Sea Road Strandhill Rd. - Finisklin Ind. Estate Link 600m Raised Cycle Lane x 2 66,500 104 4 Finisklin Ind. Estate First Sea Rd. - Finisklin Rd. Link 1,100m Raised Cycle Lane x 2 199,500 105 5 Finisklin Road Finisklin Ind. Estate - Link 600m Raised Cycle Lane x 2 159,600 128 28 Finisklin Road 2 Business Park - Finisklin Rd. Link 470m Raised Cycle Lane x 2 95,000 520,600 2015 115 15 Joe Banks Road Flynn s Terrace - Adelaide St. 116 6 Lynn's Place Junction Finisklin Rd. - Union Street & Queens Store Rd. Covered Bicycle Parking Stand Link 260m Raised Cycle lane & Junction Improvements Link 500m Raised Cycle lane & Junction Improvements 133,000 159,600 292,600 20,000
Project Costs per Head of Population 2014-2016 (This Application) Infrastructure 833,200 Infrastructure (Own Resources & Other Grants) 210,000 Human Resources (Sligo County Council Staff) 240,000 Soft Measures 63,000 Soft Measures (Own Resources) 30,000 TOTAL 1,376,200 Total / Head of Population (19,452) 71 TOTAL Active Travel Towns Funding Sought 896,000 TOTAL Active Travel Towns Funding Sought / Head of Population (19,452) 46