COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LAND USE PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION SPC

Thursday, February 24, 2022

HEADED ITEM NO.

HEADED ITEM: M. McAdam

N81 Integrated Transport and Planning Strategy

REPLY:

Integrated Transport Strategy for the N81

South Dublin County Council (SDCC) commissioned Atkins Consulting Engineers to carry out an Integrated Planning & Transport Strategy for the N81 to assess and make recommendations for the section of the N81 from J11 on the M50 to the junction with the Citywest Road extending over some 6km of national secondary road.

The N81 is a strategic road corridor that carries heavy traffic volumes throughout the day. The N81 forms a significant barrier effectively dividing Tallaght Town Centre from its suburban hinterland to the south. It consists of a multi-lane highway along a significant section of the study area. Current Traffic levels (AADT) for 2021 are in the order of 24,00. It should be noted in 2017 and 2018 the AADT was in the order for 30,000, with approximately 2.5% being HGV traffic.

The general speed limit is posted at 80kph from the R139 Cheeverstown Road junction to just west of the Glenview Roundabout, however, within the study area, this is reduced to 60kph from Citywest junction to the R139 Cheeverstown Road junction and from the Glenview Roundabout to the M50 Interchange

Whilst it is acknowledged that the N81 acts as a significant barrier to north south movement it must be recognised that the N81 also facilitates a very important commuter and traffic movement function. As such, a key aspect of the proposed Strategy is the balancing of the local active and sustainable travel movement and place functions with this strategic traffic movement function. The Strategy also assessed and considered the future role of the N81 beyond its current function as a strategic national secondary vehicular route.

Once adopted by project stakeholders, the Integrated Transport Strategy of the N81, it is envisaged that Stage 2 Concept Design and Planning would commence. During Stage 2, each of the proposed measures identified in the Strategy for the N81 will be developed in further detail prior to Stage 3 Implementation.

While it is recommended that all measures in this strategy should proceed to planning and design, an implementation plan has been proposed dividing measures into short, medium, and longer-term measures. The implementation strategy is based on several factors including:

A key output from Stage 2 will be a detailed programme for delivery of this Strategy. The programme will need to be developed for agreement and implementation with key Stakeholders (SDCC, TII & NTA).