Swords Masterplan - Fingal County Council

PERMEABILITY AND STREET PATTERN
The following series of internal streets [see map Movement Strategy] are
proposed within the lands, which will enable permeability and connectivity within
the development area and also to the surrounding environment:
The primary street through the scheme is a 24 hour pedestrian street called
‘Upper Street’ which traverses the site northwest-southeast. This street
connects at +1 with the Metro Plaza, linking up with ‘Central Street’ within the
Pavilions site, and connecting ultimately to the Cultural Quarter/Ward River
Valley Park and Swords Main Street.
Lower Street is a 24 hour pedestrian route, which runs parallel to Upper Street
and connects to the Metro Quarter to the north and ‘Main Square’ public space
to the south. It links into Upper Street in proximity to the Metro Plaza and also at
Main Square.
The Rise will be an important street, offering 24 hour public
transport/pedestrian/cyclist connection between Barrysparks through the
Pavilions to Swords Main Street and supporting multi-modal interchange with
Metro North. The Rise will be an inclined street with an average gradient of less
than 1:20 and will be approx 12-14m wide (subject to confirmation of detailed
traffic engineering design). The street climbs from existing ground level within
Barrysparks, to level +1 at the Metro Plaza, returning to ground level at Malahide
Road. This route will play an important part in the public transport system and
will allow pedestrian connection at +1 level to the Metro Plaza and the Metro stop.
Western Avenue is an “all vehicle” street traversing the development area
(northwest-southeast), linking to the R132 for southbound traffic exiting the site
and linking into the proposed Airside/Drynam local distributor road to the south.
Eastern Avenue is an “all vehicle” route which links the R132 at the northern
part of the site and proposed Airside/Drynam local distributor road to the south.
This route interconnects with ‘The Rise’ public transport route.
A number of secondary link streets are proposed within the development to
support the primary north-south links. The Cut is a 24 hour secondary
pedestrian route offering a link from The Rise to Upper Street and also provides
entrances to housing above.
Bridge Street traverses the site, linking Western and Eastern Avenues/The Rise
and is predominately for the use of cyclists, pedestrians and service vehicles.
Cross Street also traverses the site, providing access between Western and
Eastern Avenues. This is predominately for cyclists/pedestrians modes and for
service vehicles. At limited times of the day it may also be used by cars. In the
evenings its use will help bring activity to the central parts of the development
and the Main Square.
S W O R D S M A S T E R P L A N
CONNECTIONS [see map Levels/Movement]
To ensure integration with the Metro Plaza and adjoining Pavilions development,
Upper Street will slope from at grade at Main Square to +1 at the Metro Plaza (+7.5
m) at a gradient of 1:30. Where Upper Street and Lower Street link to the Metro
Stop, vertical circulation between levels is provided. Another stair and lift will be
provided at the Main Square linking the ground level to the arcaded routes. Other
stairs and lifts will be incorporated along this upper route as required.
The ‘Rise’ will move from ground level within the Barrysparks lands to +1 over the
Metro Plaza and connect through the Pavilions lands to the Malahide Road. This
transition will occur over a slope of less than 1:20, capable of accommodating
buses and pedestrians/cyclists (subject to confirmation of detailed traffic
engineering design). ‘South Street’ will rise from 0 to +1 towards the western
section, with car parking accommodated below this area.
Metro Quarter. There will 2 pedestrian crossing facilities at ground level from
Metro Platform to Barrysparks. There will be 3 vertical circulation nodes to
facilitate ease of movement at this location between the Metro Plaza and
Barrysparks and Pavilions. [see Section addressing Metro Quarter].
8 7
Levels/Movement
Specific Objectives:
● Development shall integrate with the Metro Plaza (providing +1 level
pedestrian connectivity to existing Town Centre and Pavilions
development) and underground vehicular network beneath the
R132, including access ramps. These connections shall be provided
for prior to the occupation of any development on the Barrysparks
lands.
● The Rise/Western Avenue and Eastern Avenue shall link into the
proposed Airside/Drynam distributor link road. This connection
shall be provided in tandem with development on the Barrysparks
lands.
● All the streets within the Barrysparks development area shall
facilitate 24 hour public access.
● Upper Street shall be the primary pedestrian street linking into the
Metro Plaza and shall clearly connect to Central Street within the
Pavilions site.
● The Rise shall be constucted at a gradient of less than 1:20 (subject
to confirmation of detailed traffic engineering design) and shall be a
24 hour public transport street linking Barrysparks, over the R132,
through the northern section of the Pavilions site, and connecting
with the Town Centre.