McBride Station Drogheda Accessibilty Study

Opened in 1853 access to / from McBride Railway Station retains many of its original characteristics. Unfortunately, these characteristics in the context of today’s ever-increasing travel demands; adversely impact the stations accessibility levels and its operational efficiency as a key interchange in a seamless integrated public transport system. In response to the Stations poor linkages with the town centre, constrained access with the local road network, and poorly utilised and undervalued immediate environs the local council has designated McBride Station and adjoining lands as the Drogheda Transportation Development Area (DTDA). The guiding concept of the DTDA is the delivery of a highly accessible interchange zone which is well served by walking, cycling and public transport where, through the integration of transport and land use planning, and the promotion of higher density and more intensive land uses, more sustainable patterns of development can be attained.

DBFL, in partnership with Douglas Wallace Architects; were commissioned to initially investigate and subsequently develop an Urban Design Framework Plan for zoned lands (140 hectares) located across the south-eastern environs of Drogheda within which the DTDA is located. The principal objectives of the framework plan, encompassing lands under the jurisdiction of both Louth and Meath County Councils; included the facilitation of the DTDA in addition to the integrated planning of a sustainable high density mixed use development (incorporated residential, commercial, employment and educational facilities). Following the initial Constraints and Opportunities Review, the subsequent master planning exercise focused upon the identification of a sustainable urban quarter that maximised accessibility and the redevelopment potential of the DTDA.

In regard to the DTDA the framework indicates how development can integrate with transport infrastructure, particularly McBride Station, new interchange facilities, and pedestrian routes (to and across the rail corridor) but also car parking, bus routes, cycle routes, roads and service access. A proposed new northern station entrance is to be accommodated that will connect into the existing but enhanced station domain. In addition to the provision of set-down / collection facilities a new multi-story Park & Ride facility is proposed as part of the new northern domain of McBride Station.  Potentially, commercial and residential development can wrap around and over the new station entrance and park & Ride facility. The existing southern domain of the station is to be redesigned with the removal of the existing surface car parking and the provision of new bus (local and regional services), taxi and vehicle set down facilities located in front of the existing station building with the objective of enhancing integration between modes of travel and providing priority for sustainable modes of travel. As part of the Urban Design Framework Plan DBFL undertook all services related to transport planning, traffic management, and road infrastructure, in addition to identifying the Drainage and Water Supply Strategy and the Utilities and Energy Supply Strategy.