Oranmore - Gateway to the West of Ireland

Oranmore Community Development Association Proposed Traffic Management Plan for Oranmore.

It is proposed that the traffic management scheme for Oranmore be organised in two phases. The first phase is to tackle the most urgent problems and to solve immediate problems that the village faces everyday. The second phase of the scheme is to propose and secure the long term traffic management objectives for the village through the completion of infrastructure and key junctions. The following is a breakdown of our proposal, which is detailed further on the drawings attached.

PHASE 1:
Phase 1 of the scheme is to solve the more immediate and urgent problems that Oranmore Village faces each day. The main source of the problem is linked to congestion and flow within the core of the village and also the easing of “through traffic” in the village. The following is an appraisal of our proposal:

DOUBLE YELLOW LINES: We have indicated the key places where the restriction of parking on a permanent basis is needed in the village core. The areas that we have highlighted are where both legal and illegal parking pose as a significant hindrance to the flow of traffic. It is also found that illegal parking on existing single yellow lines is also a substantial element of the parking problem in Oranmore. It is felt that Double Yellow Lines in the locations shown will significantly contribute to improved traffic flow. It is also further suggested that physical parking restrictions such as bollards on pavement edges and the widening of footpaths at key locations will ensure that the temptation for illegal parking and kerb mounting is eliminated.   

COMPLETION OF THE NORTH- SOUTH DISTRIBUTOR ROAD: Planning permission has been secured for the construction of this section of road. The road will complete access to the Oranhill / Maree Road and it will also take this traffic out of the village centre.

NEW ROUNDABOUT AT JUNCTION OF THE ORANHILL ROAD AND THE MAREE ROAD: The existing junction is substandard and deficient and there are significant safety implications for traffic and pedestrians using the existing deficient ‘T’ junction. The proposed roundabout is required to be completed as a matter of urgency, and should be located at the revised location on the Maree Road (nearer to Rinville West).

COMPLETION OF THE ‘RESPOND’ ROAD JUNCTION & ROUNDABOUT: Planning permission has been secured for the modification to the existing junction of the ‘Respond’ Road and the main public road. Furthermore this proposal includes for the construction of a set-down area and roundabout to facilitate the collection and drop-off of students to the Girls national school, and other schools in the future.

MODIFICATIONS TO THE CASTLE ROAD & MAIN STREET JUNCTION: We have indicated an improvement scheme to alleviate the traffic congestion in this area. The congestion is a result of the non-use of the existing bus bay in the village and the poor road geometry and alignment in this location. Furthermore, the use of this area for access to the Girls school is another contribution to traffic congestion. Our proposal will see the removal of the existing bus bay and the provision of linear parking in this area in conjunction with the re-alignment of the existing road and revisions to the main junction. This will also aid the provision of a further long-term car park in the village.This proposal if implemented would result in the provision of 35 additional car-spaces and would greatly increase traffic and pedestrian safety at this location.

PHASE 2:
Phase 2 of the scheme is proposed as a more medium term solutions to traffic problems. They can be summarised thus:

PARKING: We proposed that Galway County Council, would liaise with the Church Authorities and examine the feasibility of providing long-term carparking in the existing church car-park for public use (especially for access to schools etc.). This carpark would be linked to the Boys School and the ‘RESPOND’ road. It is envisaged that these would be pay and display parking with a rate to be set, however this level should be particularly low (i.e. €1 per day). It is envisaged that the existing car-park in the village core would become a more short-term car park and would have pay-parking at a rate of €1 per hour. These car parks would be linked to the village core via pedestrian links.  A second carpark could be located behind the Main Street (accessed via Riverdale/Rivergrove) with pedestrian access as shown onto Main Street. We would suggest that Galway County Council would endeavour to acquire these lands for future carpark use.

MILLPLOT / ORAN TOWN CENTRE ROUNDABOUT: The existing junction at this location is substandard and the entrance into Oran Town Centre is no longer fit for purpose. The existing entrance is congested as the existing bus stops in this location are not adequate and they significantly congest this area. It is our view that a roundabout in this location is warranted with a new entrance into Oran Town Centre off same. Furthermore the bus stops in this location should be set off-street in order to allow the free flow of traffic in this location. The existing entrance into Oran Town Centre should be used as a ‘goods’ exit only.

INNPLOT / TESCO TO CASTLE ROAD: It is our proposal that the existing road way leading to Tesco be continued to link with the Castle Road and that a Roundabout be constructed at the entrance to Calasanctius College. This road way will further reduce traffic within the village and take pressure off the Castle Road, especially for school traffic. The existing Castle Road will also be required to be widened to facilitate this. Ultimately, we would envisage that the Castle Road would be ‘one way’ from the new roundabout outside the entrance to Calsanctius College, to the Main Street, and then ‘one way’ from this new junction as far as the junction of the Main Street and the Dublin Road.

USE OF PRIVATE CARPARKS: We would suggest that Galway County Council would negotiate with private property owners with a view to providing their private carparks for public use, and that ‘parking’ signs be provided directing traffic to these locations.

Such possible locations are located at :
(a) Tesco (provide ‘P’ sign at roundabout)
(b) Underground carpark at commercial development at INNPLOT (adjacent to Oranmore  Pharmacy) (provide ‘P’ sign on main  street)
(c) Commercial carpark on Castle Road (adjacent to Ramada Hotel) (Provide ‘P’ signs at junction of Castle Road and Main Street  and on the Castle Road)