Re: Draft – Rathkeale Town Centre First Plan – Dec 2024.

Dear Sir/Madam,

TFI Local Link Limerick Clare, welcome the opportunity to send a formal submission on the
above report.

We submit the following observations for your consideration, which may support the implementation of the plan. We are also available for any further consultation if required.

TFI Local Link Limerick Clare is the Rural Transport Programme TCU (Transport Coordination Unit) for Limerick and Clare. The Rural Transport Programme is funded by the Department of Transport administered by the National Transport Authority. In the geographical area we manage Limerick and Clare we provide two models of bus services - Regular Rural Services (RRS) which are high frequency 7 days a week services and Door to Door Demand Responsive (DR) services. All transport is sub-contracted to local bus operators. TFI Local Link is part of the Transport for Ireland network of public transport services.

TFI Local Link Limerick Clare provide the following bus services to Rathkeale

593 Daily Service providing connection to and onwards. 3 service week days and 5 services Friday to Sunday.
- 8am from NCW arriving in Rathkeale at 8:20 and providing access to Askeaton,
- Creeves Coss, Shanagolden Youthreach, Shanagolden, Foynes, Loughill, Glin, Dromin, Carrigkerry and Newcastle West
- Shanagolden, Askeaton to Rathkeale for 16:20
- 16:20 Rathkeale to NCW
- 16:40 NCW to Rathkeale via Foynes, Shanagolden, Askeaton
- Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening services
  - NCW 19;20 to Rathkeale via Glin, Foynes, Shanagolden, Askeaton
  - NCW 23:05 to Rathkeale and onwards to Askeaton, Shanagolden, Foynes, Glin back to NCW
  - This service is being reviewed
  - Demand Responsive Tuesday weekly bus Service L46
  - Demand Responsive Thursday weekly bus Service L54
  - Demand Responsive bus Service L43 once a month on a Saturday

As a stakeholder providing 31 bus services a week to Rathkeale we fully support action point 13. Provide a New Link Road from Main Street to New Line Road.

Our bus sizes vary in size from 16 seaters to 33 seaters up to 31 feet long and 9 feet wide. Turning the corner to access the R518 road towards Askeaton at the Garda Station junction can delay services substantially. Especially, if two large vehicles are trying to turn in either direction. Bus Eireann provide 182 services per week with larger vehicles 52 seaters, we aim to provide connectivity to those services.

Consideration was taken on traveling through the town with stops near the square and at the sheltered housing as needed. However, congestion on the main street limits the current timetable. Parking on both sides of the street after the Bank Place turnoff on the R523 creates a bottleneck, allowing only one-way traffic for larger vehicles.

Therefore, the introduction of the New Link Road to the New Line Road would reduce congestion at the R518 corner and we fully support this action point in the plan.

In the section 4.7 could you correct the error of our name, please see below in bold.
4.7 Transport, Connectivity and Car Parking Rathkeale is well connected and centrally located to access Shannon Airport (54km away) and is served by a daily bus service (Bus Éireann) between Rathkeale and Limerick City and a local commuter bus services operated by TFI Local Link Limerick Clare…..

In that section it refers to Rathkeale remains a car-dominated town, with a lack of priority given to walking, cycling and public transport. This should be reversed, to encourage active, sustainable lifestyles and to help reach low-carbon commitments. Therefore, the following proposals aim to provide a high-quality people-focused town centre, improving the pedestrian, cyclist and public transport accessibility, with consideration to all users including those with reduced mobility.

TFI Local Link demand response services could be used more extensively for users with reduced mobility. The main bus stop is situated just after Christopher Lynch Bridge on the R523 which is a 450m walk to the shops on Main Street for those with low mobility that is not feasible unless they are on scooters or wheelchairs. A bus stop pole at the Square and Court Villas would open access to all facilities and amenities in Rathkeale. There are two demand response services weekly, Tuesday and Thursday.

The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan continues to make public transport more accessible for people in towns and villages across the country in a number of ways by:

 Adding new high-frequency services;
 Enhancing existing services; and
 Providing improved connectivity to the wider transport network

The NTA continues to review where improvements are required with a view to introducing new and enhanced connections between villages and towns; and providing better access to public transport in rural areas.

These improvements are creating a more effective and integrated system, which brings people in rural areas to where they want to go, when they want to get there.

TFI Local Link Limerick Clare feeds into the overall plan at a local level, which directly supports the Sustainable Mobility and Transport action points of the Draft – Rathkeale Town Centre First Plan.

Sustainable Mobility and Transport Sustainable Mobility and Transport is a key issues when considering the future of Rathkeale. The town needs to become better connected, easy to walk and cycle around, fluid movement for public transport and less reliance on private cars.

Active Travel Links

 Increase connectivity across the town centre
 Make town more accessible
 Reduce car dependency and short car trips
 Better mental health and quality of life
 Encourage active lifestyles for all age groups.
 Improves the sustainability of the town
 Improve the safety and accessibility of pedestrians and cyclists
 Improve wayfinding and signage

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are committed to working closely with Limerick City and County Council, as well as the Rathkeale Town Team, to improve public transport infrastructure for the benefit of Rathkeale and the greater Limerick area.

Yours Sincerely
Anne Gaughan
Manager
TFI Local Link Limerick Clare

Draft Rathkeale Town Centre First Plan - Submissions

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