Mitchelstown Georgian Quarter Public Realm Scheme

Client: Cork County Council
Duration: July 2022 to February 2023

Project Summary

Transport Insights was commissioned by TOBIN Consulting Engineers, on behalf on Cork County Council to support the planning and design of public realm enhancements within the Georgian Quarter in Mitchelstown. The scheme comprised 4 no. locations within Mitchelstown, namely King’s Square, George’s Street, King’s Street and New Market Square.

The initial scope of Transport Insights’ support to the project comprised the completion of a Transport Feasibility Assessment, which was underpinned by a comprehensive baseline assessment utilising available traffic, pedestrian and parking survey data. The assessment considered potential impacts of emerging draft public realm enhancement proposals on general traffic and active travel movements, in addition to on-street parking and servicing/ loading provision. To provide a structured framework for the assessment and to align the emerging public realm enhancements with national policy, a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) of scheme options was completed in accordance with Department of Transport’s (DfT) Common Appraisal Framework for Transport Projects and Programmes guidance.

During the next stage of the project, Transport Insights’ project team provided preliminary traffic engineering design advice to REDscape Landscape & Urbanism and TOBIN Consulting Engineers and undertook a Traffic and Transport Assessment (TTA). The TTA was supported by traffic modelling (using Junctions 9 PICADY module), which forecast queuing and delay related impacts arising from the proposed scheme. As the proposed scheme would result in some loss of car parking, the TTA also quantified and contextualised parking related impacts within the Town Centre.

Added Value Brought to Project

Transport Insights supported advancement of the Mitchelstown Georgian Quarter Public Realm Scheme from initial feasibility stage through preliminary design and to submission of the Part 8 planning application (in March 2023). The scheme has sought to conserve the Town’s historical features while also providing public realm improvements to create enhanced spaces for residents and visitors to work, live and socialise.

Our inputs aligned the scheme with national policy, and ensured a balance between enhanced public realm and placemaking, and multimodal movement and parking/ delivery/ servicing needs within the Town. Funding for the scheme’s implementation is being sought via the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

background image: Cork City Council