New mobility plan to get Sandyford moving

THE first mobility plan for a business district in
Ireland has been unveiled on the Southside.

The cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County
Council, Cllr John Bailey, cut the red tape on the Area Wide Mobility
Management Plan for the Sandyford Business District last week.

It forms part of the Sandyford Smarter Travel project,
which aims to develop and support a culture of sustainable travel in the
Sandyford Business District, a key policy objective in the Sandyford Urban
Framework Plan.

The new Mobility Management Plan is designed to help
Sandyford businesses promote and deliver sustainable transport options for
employees.

A local travel network is also being established to
provide a forum to discuss transportation issues and to focus on improving
travel options for local commuters.

Cllr Bailey said the launch of the Mobility Management
Plan in the Sandyford Business District highlighted the council’s commitment to
the ongoing sustainable development of the Sandyford Business District.

“We hope that the plan, in conjunction with the
walking and cycling infrastructure schemes proposed for the area, will
encourage commuters to become more environmentally-friendly in how they travel
to work,

? he said.

According to
Gerry Flaherty, the council’s Sustainable Travel Officer, the overall aim of
the Sandyford Smarter Travel project is to change the behaviour and mindset of
those travelling to the Sandyford Business District by car.

“By 2020, we want to see 55 per cent of all trips to
the area made on foot, bike, or by public transport or car share, in line with
the aims of National Transport Policy,

? he said.

“This will be done through a combination of
infrastructure upgrades and mobility management planning.

?

He also added that by walking, cycling or using public
transport to get to work, even occasionally, commuters can achieve a
significant carbon saving.

“Active travel, such as walking and cycling to work,
can also result in many health benefits for individuals,

? he pointed out.

Key outcomes of the Mobility Management Plan include
the provision of better public transport services for commuters in the area,
the development of improved pedestrian, cycle and bus facilities, and increased
awareness of the benefits of Smarter Travel initiatives for individuals and
companies.