Dungarvan Town Centre Improvement Scheme – part of the Go Dungarvan Smarter Travel Area

Waterford City and County Council are undertaking improvement works to Dungarvan town centre as part of the Go Dungarvan Smarter Travel Area.

AtkinsRéalis, Mitchell + Associates and HKTT were appointed to design the refurbishment of the town square and approaching junctions in Dungarvan as part of the Smarter Travel initiative. The works comprise the complete resurfacing and urban design of Grattan Square and adjoining roads.

The scheme will provide a completely new layout for the square with enhanced pedestrian and cyclist facilities, dedicated parking for the mobility impaired and families, new, high quality concrete and Irish Limestone paving and kerbing, architectural lighting, improved street furniture and new utilities. The improved square is designed to be a flexible, shared surface to cater for large festivals and events, as well as regular market days.

The square is designed in accordance with the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets and includes shared streets throughout, whereby pedestrian and road vehicles are given equal priority at junctions, creating a slower traffic environment, which is inherently safer for pedestrians and other vulnerable users.  Signage and lining clutter has been removed, which again leads to slower traffic speeds. AtkinsRéalis provided full transport planning, civil and traffic engineering design services, prepared tender documentation and is now supervising the works on site.

Minister of State for Public and Commuter Transport Alan Kelly announced the results of the National Competition for Smarter Travel Areas on 1 February 2012. Limerick City, Dungarvan and Westport share the funding of €23million. Dungarvan has received a total of €7.2million from the fund to be spent over a 5 year period to transform Dungarvan Town into a Smarter Travel Area, promoting cycling and walking and reducing car travel.

The programme is the integration of a behavioural change campaign and the development of infrastructure to support the move from the car to more sustainable transport modes.

In broad terms, the Go Dungarvan Smarter Travel Area includes provisions such as:

  • improved cycling ways, including safe routes to school and to key business and workplace zones
  • secure cycle parking in town centre
  • better walking facilities
  • traffic calming
  • school and workplace travel planning
  • e-working
  • car sharing

Client: Waterford City and County Council

Project Status: Ongoing