2020 Vision for Athy - Entire Document - Kildare.ie

Residential developments in the Ardrew area are seen to be remote from the existing school locations. However it
is seen that those of second level school going age are more independent and viewed as capable of making a longer
school journey. Furthermore it is envisaged that the proposed layout of the Inner Relief Street together with
enhanced civic spaces in the town will provide a safe and convivial route from the area.
Although beyond the scope of this Study, one could argue that the strategic move to amalgamate secondary
schools to the north of the town, while beneficial in terms of economies of scale is contrary to sustainable
planning. In recognition of this policy a location to the south of the town in Conneyburrow has been identified as a
more appropriate location for a secondary school, adding a greater spatial balance to the town and allowing greater
degree of sustainable trips. To this end, strategic decisions in relation to school locations will be subject to the
Department of Education and other relevant bodies.
Objective 8 Locate low-density employment adjacent to distributor road links.
A key objective for Athy is to build on and expand upon a long tradition of local and indigenously developed
industries. Such an economic resource needs to be supported and given its rightful place in future investment
frameworks for the town. It is viewed that the development of such strategies are a multi-faceted process,
something that does not fall within the remit of this Study. Nevertheless, as a spatial planning framework that will
guide the physical planning of the town over the next 20 years the IFPLUT must ensure that sufficient land is
allocated for the future employment development of the town and that such land can be accessed by the existing
and/or proposed transport network.
In general production and distribution based industries, for example goods based employment with a lower density
of employees per square metre, should generally be located as close as possible to the national road network as the
movement of their products necessitate efficient and easy access, dominated by goods vehicle movements. Within
the Preferred Scenario low-density sites are located to the southeast and northwest of the town.
To the southeast of the town access would be facilitated along the
alignment of the proposed southern bypass facilitating more
efficient access to Dublin. The location of this bypass beyond the
urban development boundary would ensure that residential areas
in Coneyburrow and Ardrew are not severed from the town. The
bypass designated in the Athy Development Plan would function
as a local distributor road in the Ardrew area, not necessarily
providing a link across the river and railway to the east of the
town. Access to and from these sites would also be facilitated by
the forthcoming N9 link road providing a direct connection onto
the national primary network. Such connections allow for
improvements in terms of time and cost reducing the town’s
current disadvantages of town centre congestion with HGV
movement. Low-density employment sites are also located to the
northeast of the town. These sites adjacent to the existing IDA
Park will be accessible from the Kilkenny Road and from the
southern outer bypass adjacent to the existing IDA Park thus
avoiding the town centre.
The development of and improvement of national links is viewed
as critical in extending the town’s economic success and regional
and national importance and competitiveness. Improved
accessibility will provide a strong incentive for investment in the
town.
It is important that developers and employers implement Green Travel Plans, which must actively encourage the
use of non-car modes including bus, train, car sharing, cycling and walking for both travel to work and other work
based trips. Details of such plans should be incorporated within the next Development Plan.
Key to the future success of Athy is the promotion of sustainable travel. A fundamental part of this goal is a
reduction in the number of through car trips within the town centre. To aid the removal of vehicular trips within the
town centre a hierarchy of road network has been established supported by a series of transport measures.
Athy IFPLUT Study 100 Final Report December 2004