The contract for the improvement works to Dungarvan town centre as part of the Go Dungarvan Smarter Travel Area was signed by Waterford City and County Council today with Wills Brothers Limited.

The project is being delivered by Waterford City and County Council through the Go Dungarvan Smarter Travel Office, represented by Ray Mannix, Senior Engineer, and Jimmy Mansfield, Senior Executive Engineer. The design team is Atkins (Engineering Consultants), Mitchell + Associates (Landscape Architects), and Healy, Kelly, Turner and Townsend (HKTT) (Quantity Surveyors).

Richard Neuling, Technical Director Atkins said ‘Atkins is well-placed to deliver this project, because of our technical excellence and successful track record in delivering Sustainable and Smarter Travel projects and Public Realm enhancements. We look forward to completing this exciting project successfully with Waterford City and County Council, Wills Bros and our design team partners over the coming months.’

Atkins, Mitchell + Associates and HKTT were appointed in 2015 to design the refurbishment of the town square and approaching junctions in Dungarvan as part of the Smarter Travel initiative. The works comprise the complete resurfacing and urban design of Grattan Square and adjoining roads. The works commenced on site in January 2016 and are expected to be completed in summer 2016.

Kieran Boyle, Associate Director Atkins, stated that ‘This project is a very important addition to the locality, which will greatly enhance Dungarvan town centre. The overall vision from Waterford City and County Council is to improve the town centre for the people of Dungarvan by creating a pedestrian and cycle friendly environment and a far more attractive and safer place in which to shop, visit, do business, and pass the time of day.’

Ray Mannix, Senior Engineer, Waterford City and County Council added ‘This is a very important project for Waterford City and County Council and we are absolutely delighted to be signing the contracts. The project will have a hugely positive influence on the image of Dungarvan.’

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The scheme will provide a completely new layout for the square with enhanced pedestrian and cyclist facilities, dedicated parking for the mobility impaired and families, new, high quality concrete and Irish Limestone paving and kerbing, architectural lighting, improved street furniture and new utilities. The improved square is designed to be a flexible, shared surface to cater for large festivals and events, as well as regular market days.

The square is designed in accordance with the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets and includes shared streets throughout, whereby pedestrian and road vehicles are given equal priority at junctions, creating a slower traffic environment, which is inherently safer for pedestrians and other vulnerable users. Signage and lining clutter has been removed, which again leads to slower traffic speeds. Atkins provided full transport planning, civil and traffic engineering design services, prepared tender documentation and is now supervising the works on site.

Minister of State for Public and Commuter Transport Alan Kelly announced the results of the National Competition for Smarter Travel Areas on 1 February 2012. Limerick City, Dungarvan and Westport share the funding of €23million. Dungarvan has received a total of €7.2million from the fund to be spent over a 5 year period to transform Dungarvan Town into a Smarter Travel Area, promoting cycling and walking and reducing car travel.

The programme is the integration of a behavioural change campaign and the development of infrastructure to support the move from the car to more sustainable transport modes.

In broad terms, the Go Dungarvan Smarter Travel Area includes provisions such as:

• improved cycling ways, including safe routes to school and to key business and workplace zones
• secure cycle parking in town centre
• better walking facilities
• traffic calming
• school and workplace travel planning
• e-working
• car sharing

Seated from left) Ray Mannix, Senior Engineer WC&CC, Charles Wills, Wills Bros Ltd., Cllr. John Cummins, Mayor of Waterford City & County and Michael Walsh, CEO Water City and County Council.

Standing (from left): Paul Meskell, Healy, Kelly, Turner & Townsend, Richard Neuling Technical Director, Atkins, William Trehy, Wills Bros Ltd., Jimmy Mansfield, Senior Executive Engineer, WC&CC and Feargus McGarvey, Mitchell + Associates, Landscape Architect.