2020 Vision for Athy - Entire Document - Kildare.ie

Triangle Site
The Triangle site due to its advantageous location at the confluence of the Grand Canal and River Barrow offers
significant development potential for the provision of high-density employment. The site falls within easy walking
distance of the railway station with proposed bus set down facilities located north of the site thereby facilitating
easy access for both rail and bus commuters. Pedestrian permeability will be maximised through the site with the
provision of internal links through the site. The proposed residential developments to the southwest of the town are
in close proximity to the site with direct access facilitated through provision of new pedestrian/cycle routes as
indicated on Figure 9.3. Access from existing and future residential developments to the north of the town will be
facilitated through pedestrian linkages between Duke Street/Leinster Street and the Inner Relief Street. The
proximity of the site to the canal and river offers potential for the creation of waterfront walkways adding to the
unique feature of the site and adding to the high quality-working environment.
Shaw’s Square Area
The Shaw’s Square area offers significant potential for mixed-use development incorporating elements of highdensity
employment. The site is easily accessible to the existing and future residential developments to the north
and the northwest of the town with access to the site also facilitated through the car parks located to the east and
west of the site. Employees accessing from the east can utilise the new slow mode bridge across the river to the
north east of the area. The redevelopment of the square as a new civic space with provision of amenity walkways
along the river offers convivial and convenient access to and from the town centre and for those accessing the site
from the southwest of the town. Safe pedestrian and cycle links to residential areas along Woodstock Road will
ensure the connection of the site to the town centre.
Cinema Site
Located on the periphery of the town centre and in immediate proximity of the railway station the cinema site
presents an advantageous location for future high-density employment. The site is located directly adjacent to
housing on the eastern side of the town allowing convenient access.
Objective 7 Locate schools in areas that will be serviced by safe walking and cycling routes.
In keeping with the sustainable objectives of the Study, the Preferred Scenario has sought to locate all of the
town’s future population within acceptable walking distance of a primary or secondary school.
In relation to primary schools it is proposed that a new school be located in the Ardrew residential area. Lying to
the southwest of the town the area is viewed as being too remote from existing primary schools to the north of the
town to facilitate sustainable movement patterns. Furthermore and as outlined under Objective 3 of the Study the
area is viewed as providing sufficient population to sustain such development. In order to facilitate sustainable
trips a number of pedestrian/cycle routes as outlined on Figures 9.3 and 9.4 have been designed to link into the
school.
The existing primary schools to the north of the town will continue to draw children from residential estates to the
north of the town. . In support of such movement a number of transport measures have been developed including
the construction of slow mode bridge linking residential areas located to the east and west of the river, thereby
providing safe routes to schools and avoiding the need to access the town centre. Direct linkage will also be
provided from future residential areas in the north as identified on the pedestrian and cycle route maps.
Access from Coneyburrow will be facilitated by a footway/cycle track linking the east of the site to the town centre
with a pedestrianised link from Stanhope Place to Leinster Street. This will improve pedestrian safety in the
vicinity of St Michaels National School.
In relation to secondary schools, the slow mode bridge across the river will provide residents to the west with safe
access to the schools, avoiding the need to enter the town centre. New residential areas to the north of Leinster
Street are seen as ideally located and will facilitate sustainable movement pattern with a proposed link running
directly past the schools. With regards to existing and future development at Coneyburrow access will be provided
along the proposed cycle/pedestrian route located to the east of the site.
Athy IFPLUT Study 99 Final Report December 2004