Greater Dublin Area Draft Transport Strategy 2011-2030

Travel between Designated Towns and DistrictsThe principles set out above for local movementwithin centres applies at all levels of the settlementhierarchy from neighbourhoods to Dublin City.However, the Strategy has an essential role inplanning for and facilitating movement betweenthe centres in the GDA.The importance of Dublin City and the DesignatedTowns as the engines of economic growth, socialinfrastructure provision and development withinthe GDA is well documented in the RPG andRetail Strategy for the GDA. The services sector(particularly the knowledge based economicsector) is expected to become a key driver offuture employment growth in the GDA, and accessto labour markets, customers, ports and airportswill be key prerequisites of future investment.Hence, a central objective of the Strategy is toprovide a high level of public transport accessibilityto Designated Towns and Dublin City, as thiswill be critical to retaining and attracting futureemployment generating investment in the GDA.The Strategy proposes a public transport network thatis focused on Dublin City, with Designated Townslinked to it, primarily by rail. Increased transportconnections and ease of connectivity will improvethe accessibility between Designated Districts andthe Designated Towns, ultimately increasing theirattractivness for economic investment.Public transport accessibility will be a key factorinfluencing the scale, density and location of futuredevelopment in the GDA. The consolidation ofdevelopment within the existing built up area willbe particularly focussed along the rail corridors.These rail based developments are envisaged totake a number of forms namely:• Outer Suburban Nodes,• Town Centres,• Inner Suburban Nodes, and• Dublin City Centre.Chapter 8: page 8 www.2030vision.ie