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Stage 1 Road Safety Audit Carlingford Lough Greenway On behalf of Louth County Council and Newry, Mourne and

Down District Council

Prepared By: CST Group Chartered Consulting Engineers 1, O’Connell Street, Sligo, F91 W7YV +353 (0)71 919 4500 [email protected] www.cstgroup.ie

September 2019

Civil Structural Traffic

I:\CST\119\151-200\119198\wp\reports\119198 Stage 1 RSA Report R1 Sep 2019.docx Page | 1

Table of Contents

Document History ................................................................................................................................................ 2

1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 3

2. Items Resulting from This Stage 1 Audit ..................................................................................................... 5

3. Audit Team Statement .............................................................................................................................. 13

Appendix A List of Documents Examined ................................................................................................... 14

Appendix B Problem Location Plan ............................................................................................................. 15

Appendix C RSA Feedback Form ................................................................................................................. 16


Document History

Revision R0 R1

Purpose of Issue: P=Preliminary PG=Progress C=Comment I=Information

PL=Planning T=Tender CN=Construction C C

Date: 20 06 19

06 09 19

Originator: JN JN

Checked By: SS SS

Approved By: SS SS

© CST Group 2019


1. Introduction

1.1 This report describes a Stage 1 Road Safety Audit carried out on a proposed Greenway at Carlingford

Lough, Carlingford, Co. Louth on behalf of Louth County Council and Newry, Mourne and Down District

Council. The proposed new Carlingford Greenway comprises three distinct sections which will fill in

the gaps in the existing greenway as follows:

(i) From the Station House within Carlingford Town connecting pedestrians and cyclists to Carlingford

Marina;

(ii) From Omeath Pier to the NI / RoI Border along the either the Old Dundalk, Newry and Greenore

rail line or along the coast;

(iii) From the NI / RoI Border along the shore of Carlingford Lough and the R173 road to the Victoria

Lock Car Park and Amenity Site.

1.2 The audit was carried out between 18th June and 20th June 2019.

1.3 The audit team were as follows:

Team Leader:

Stuart Summerfield, HNC (Civil) MCIHT FSoRSA, Partner

Certificate of Competency in Road Safety Audits (SoRSA, Jul 2015)

TII Auditor Ref. SS73290

Team Member(s):

Joseph Noone, BEng MCIHT, Design Engineer

TII Auditor Ref. JN235619

1.4 The audit comprised an examination of the drawings relating to the scheme supplied by the design

office. A site visit was carried out by both audit team members together on 19th June 2019 between

the hours of 11:30 – 13:00. Weather conditions during the inspection were sunny and the road surface

was dry. Photographs were taken during the inspection.

1.5 This Stage 1 audit has been carried out in accordance with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)

Publication (Standard) GE-STY-01024 (Dec 2017). The audit team has examined only those issues

within the design relating to the road safety implications of the scheme and has therefore not

examined or verified the compliance of the design to any other criteria.

1.6 Section III of the greenway is located wholly within the jurisdiction of Northern Ireland and will be the

subject of a separate planning application to NMDDC. This section of the route is classed as a ‘major

development’ in Northern Ireland and is required to undergo a statutory community consultation

process in accordance with Section 27 and 28 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011; therefore

this route is currently at concept stage and initial consultations are still being undertaken with

statutory consultees.


In light of the above, this report does not provide an audit of Section III as there is a possibility that

the route could be subject to change following receipt of feedback received from both statutory

consultations and community consultations. An updated RSA will be submitted as part of the NI

Planning Application.

1.7 Appendix A describes the documents examined by the audit team.

1.8 All of the problems described in this report are considered by the audit team to require action in order

to improve the safety of the scheme and minimise accident occurrence.


2. Items Resulting from This Stage 1 Audit

2.1 Collision Data

Collision data has not been supplied with this scheme.

Road Collision Data available on the Road Safety Authority Database, within the period 2005 to 2015,

recorded 5 no. collisions in the immediate vicinity of the proposed site between Carlingford and the

Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland Border.

Road Collision Data available on the crashmap.co.uk website which contains information about

reported crashes from 1999 onwards, recorded no collisions in the immediate vicinity of the proposed

site between the Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland Border and the R173 road to the Victoria Lock

Car Park and Amenity Site.


2.2 General Problems / Problems at Multiple Locations

2.2.1 Access onto off-road Greenway Problem: There are no physical measures proposed to prevent motorised vehicles from entering onto the greenway. Hazard: Cyclists travelling at speed at sharp turns in the greenway will not expect to meet motorised vehicles resulting in possible head-on-collisions. Recommendation: Provide physical deterrents at the access onto the greenway from public roads. These physical measures should be visible to all users using reflective material.

2.2.2 Off-road greenway junctions with public roads Problem: The off-road greenway has multiple junctions with public roads throughout the scheme. There are no road markings or signage proposed to inform cyclists that they are entering onto a shared surface with motorised vehicles. Hazard: Cyclists may cycle onto the shared surface believing they are still on a greenway with no motorised vehicles resulting in collisions with vehicles on the public road. Recommendation: Provide signage and road markings informing all users of the greenway and shared surface of the hazards ahead and priority at this location in line with the Traffic Signs Manual and National Cycle Manual.

2.2.3 Public Road Junctions with Greenways Problem: Drivers of motorised vehicles may not be aware of the interface with the greenway at the various intersections along the scheme. This is a particular problem where there is an existing carriageway junction in close proximity to a greenway crossing. Hazard: The driver may proceed to the carriageway junction and impact with cyclists. Recommendation: Provide coloured surfacing on the greenway crossing together with advanced ‘cycle’ warning signage for the motorist.

2.2.4 Greenway Timber Post and Rail Fence line adjacent to R173 adjacent to ROI/NI Border Problem: The proposed greenway fence line is a timber post and rail fence and is located in close proximity to the R173. Hazard: Cars who lose control and leave the R173 carriageway may come into contact with the proposed timber post and rail fence. The rails of the fence may become loose on impact and be forced through the vehicle resulting in impaling of vehicle occupants. Recommendation: Relocate fence outside of the clear zone of the R173.


2.2.5 Greenway Wayfinding

Problem: The greenway intersects with public road and private entrances in multiple locations. Hazard: Greenway users may errantly depart the greenway and cycle/walk in the public carriageway. These users are at risk of impact by passing motorised traffic. Recommendation: Provide wayfinding and route confirmation signage on the greenway at regular intervals and also at intersections where users may errantly depart the greenway.

2.2.6 Typical Greenway Section

Problem: The typical greenway section shows “3m Greenway (1.75m min)”. There is nothing to prevent the contractor from providing a 1.75m wide greenway throughout. Hazard: Impact between opposing users is likely to result on greenways of 1.75m width. Recommendation: The detail should be amended to give detail on the maximum length over which the reduced width is acceptable.

2.2.7 Junctions where segregated greenways meet with Public Road

Problem: The greenway meets perpendicular with the public road. In multiple locations the area is remote from the existing street lighting. Hazard: Cyclists emerging from the segregated greenway during hours of darkness may be struck by motorised traffic. Recommendation: Provide a streetlight at the various junctions (this will have an added benefit of casting light onto the wayfinding signage).

2.2.8 Areas where the Greenway is adjacent to Carlingford Lough

Problem: The lough is tidal. There is risk that water or weed/debris will be deposited on the greenway during periods of high tide. Hazard: Cyclists may lose control due to water/debris on the track. Recommendation: Ensure the greenway is higher than the forecast high tide level.

2.2.9 Existing Trees Adjacent to Greenway

Problem: There are areas on the proposed greenway that are adjacent to trees with low hanging branches. Hazard: Cyclists may hit the branches with their head and lose control. Recommendation: Ensure all existing vegetation is sufficiently clear of the greenway, both horizontally and vertically.


2.3 Problems at Specific Locations

2.3.1 Shared Use Surface in Carlingford Town

Problem: The local streets within Carlingford are proposed to be shared use for cyclists and vehicles but there are no road markings to inform users of this. Hazard: Users driving motorised vehicles may not be aware of increased cyclist activity on the route, especially at tight junctions, and collisions may result. Recommendation: Provide road markings to inform users of the shared use facilities on the route in line with the Traffic Signs Manual and National Cycle Manual.

2.3.2 Trail Head – Carlingford Town

Problem: Old Quay Street is a one-way street. The route requires cyclists to enter the wide and busy section of the R173 in order to return to the tourist information office unnecessarily. Hazard: Cyclists may be struck by motorised vehicles. This is of particular concern where drivers arriving at Carlingford from the south may be seeking the Tourist Information Office and paying less attention to other road users than normal. Recommendation: Provide a cyclist’s link from Old Quay Street to the rear of the Tourist Information Office car park.


2.3.3 Proposed footpath on R173 near King John’s Castle Problem: The proposed footpath adjacent to the R173 seems narrow.

Hazard: Greenways are often used by groups of walkers. Walkers in this area may be required to walk in the carriageway due to the restricted width of the footpath. Impact from motorised vehicles may result. Recommendation: Provide a footpath of adequate width.

2.3.4 Cycle Crossing across R173 at Carlingford Marina Access Road Problem: The proposed cycle crossing across the R173 adjacent to Carlingford Marina crosses south to a footpath. Hazard: Visually impaired users on the footpath south of the R173 will not expect to meet cyclists on a footpath and collisions between cyclists and pedestrians may result. Recommendation: Relocate the cyclist crossing to arrive into the shared Marina access road.

2.3.5 Carlingford Marina Access Road Problem: The existing signage for cyclists using the Marina indicates that cyclists are to share the existing footpath. Hazard: As the routes becomes busier with more cyclists and pedestrians, impact between the users may result. Recommendation: Undertake a quality audit on the entire route signage and amend any problematic signs to suit the current proposals.


2.3.6 Cycle Crossing across R173 at Carlingford Marina Access Road Problem: A cycle crossing is proposed across the R173 at the access to Carlingford Marina and a pedestrian crossing is proposed across the Marina access road adjacent to the R173. Southbound cyclists and eastbound pedestrians will intersect in the one area. Hazard: Pedestrians and cyclists crossing at the same time will share an area which may not be able to cater for the volume of pedestrians/cyclists. Pedestrians or cyclists may be left waiting in the carriageway to get off the roadway resulting in potential conflicts with motorised vehicles. Recommendation: Provide sufficient width of footpath/cycle path for both pedestrians and cyclists.

2.3.7 Greenway termination - R173 at Carlingford Marina Access Road Problem: The cycleway terminates near the proposed traffic calming gateway by tapering cyclists into the mainline carriageway.

Hazard: Cyclists may not slow or take caution when joining the mainline carriageway and be struck by fast approaching motorised vehicles. Recommendation: Provide a ‘jug handle’ type arrangement whereby the cyclist is forced to approach the mainline perpendicular to the mainline traffic flow. This will encourage the cyclist to observe approaching vehicles.

2.3.8 Zebra style crossing on Marina Access Road Problem: There is an existing ‘zebra’ style crossing on the marina access road that does not comply with the Traffic Signs Manual, or the requirements for disabled users. Hazard: As the route use intensifies use of this crossing is likely to increase. Confusion between motorists and pedestrians as to who has priority may result in impacts. Furthermore, the crossing is not suitable for mobility impaired or sight impaired users. Recommendation: Regularise the crossing to comply with best practise guidelines.


2.3.9 Shared surface adjacent to Omeath trail head Problem: The local street east of the Omeath trail head is proposed to be shared use for cyclists and vehicles but there are no road markings or signage to inform users of this. Hazard: Users driving motorised vehicles may not be aware of increased cyclist activity on the route and cyclists may not be aware of motorised vehicles on the road and collisions may result. Recommendation: Provide road markings to inform users of the shared use facilities on the route in line with the Traffic Signs Manual and National Cycle Manual.


3. Audit Team Statement

We certify that we have examined the drawings and other information listed in Appendix A. This

examination has been carried out with the sole purpose of identifying any features of the design that

could be removed or modified to improve the safety of the scheme. The problems that we have

identified have been noted in the report, together with suggestions for improvement which we

recommend should be studied for implementation. No one in the audit team has been involved with

the scheme design as shown in Appendix A.

Signed ................................................................ Stuart Summerfield Audit Team Leader Date ................................................... Signed ................................................................ Joseph Noone Audit Team Member Date ...................................................

9th September 2019

27th August 2019


Appendix A List of Documents Examined Drawings received from Doran Consulting on 14/06/2019 as follows:

Section I – Carlingford Town to Carlingford Marina (Carlingford to Marina = CM) 181146-DC-CM-XX-GA-C -301 181146-DC-CM-XX-GA-C -302 181146-DC-CM-XX-GA-C -303 181146-DC-CM-XX-GA-C -304 Section II – Omeath Pier to the NI / RoI Border (Omeath to Border = OB) 181146-DC-OB-XX-GA-C-305 181146-DC-OB-XX-GA-C-306 181146-DC-OB-XX-GA-C-307 181146-DC-OB-XX-GA-C-308 181146-DC-OB-XX-GA-C-309 181146-DC-OB-XX-GA-C-310 181146-DC-OB-XX-GA-C-311 181146-DC-OB-XX-GA-C-312 181146-DC-OB-XX-GA-C-313 181146-DC-OB-XX-GA-C-314 181146-DC-OB-XX-GA-C-315 181146-DC-OB-XX-GA-C-316 181146-DC-OB-XX-GA-C-317 181146-DC-OB-XX-GA-C-318 Section III - NI / RoI Border to Victoria Lock (within Northern Ireland = NI) 181146-DC-NI-XX-GA-C-319 181146-DC-NI-XX-GA-C-320 181146-DC-NI-XX-GA-C-321 181146-DC-NI-XX-GA-C-322 181146-DC-NI-XX-GA-C-323 181146-DC-NI-XX-GA-C-324 181146-DC-SW-XX-GA-C-004 - Site Context Plan


Appendix B Problem Location Plan


Appendix C RSA Feedback Form