7.1 Proposal No. 1

The entrance to the Rye River Park

The Rye River Park is well landscaped and maintained and provides a pleasant amenity. The recently erected interpretative panel details the flora, fauna and history of the rivers Rye and Liffey and marks the park's entrance.

However, there are a number of further improvements which could be made. The two E.S.B./ telegraph poles are unsightly and, if possible, should be removed and the cables placed underground.

The entrance to the park is quite wide and not well defined. A possible solution would be the construction of piers and wrought iron archway. Alternatively, the wall at the west end of the entrance which finishes abruptly
could be continued on to demarcate the beginning of the park. Figure 1 shows a proposed solution where the wall is continued in a curve to invite pedestrians into the park.
This curved wall encloses a seating area and lamp standard and forms a sculptural element.

7.2 Proposal 2

Entrance to public car-park on Main Street, Leixlip

The public space with the sculpture "Confluence" and water feature add considerably to the streetscape and give a sense of focus to the centre of the main street. There are plaques mounted on the wall to commemorate the war dead and town-twinning. At present, the walls of the Health Centre and Bruce's Betting, which form the
backdrop to the sculpture, are of different height and finish. We suggest that the walls be matched in height and finish to provide a more aesthetic background for the sculpture, as shown in Figure 2

The Liffey is only visible from the two bridges and is concealed behind Main Street. The use of a coherent identity to indicate the entrances would give the riverside park a presence on Main Street. This could be achieved by forming 'gateways' at each access point which provide an identity to the park and define the entrance. This could be achieved, for example, with the use of wrought iron decorative archways and stone piers which would provide an attractive feature while co-relating the different entrances

Additional planting to screen the view of the parking from both Main Street and the river would improve the visual amenity.

Existing Entrance to Public Carpark and River Side Park

7.3 Proposal 3

The junction of Captains Hill and Main Street.

The junction of Captains Hill and Main Street form an important nodal point
within the town centre. The construction of the building on the western corner of the junction since the previous town improvement study greatly helps to consolidate the streetscape. The junction requires attention to improve the visual appearance and ease pedestrian movement.

Firstly the removal the utility boxes, litter bins, bollards, advertising signs and
telephone kiosks would greatly enhance the appearance of the junction. These items could be relocated if necessary in a less conspicuous location or replaced with less intrusive designs.

Secondly, there is currently no retail unit trading from the eastern corner of
the junction to the Bank of Ireland.The owner of the corner unit should be
encouraged to re-design the shopfront to provide an improved elevation to
Captains Hill.

Ideally there should be no on-street parking on Captains Hill as this would
provide a great opportunity to widen the footpaths while also allowing for
landscaping. However, until sufficient parking is provided within the town this
solution is impractical.

The strategic planting of trees to provide relief from the harsh urban materials and to help screen parking could assist in improving the visual amenity.

7.4 Proposal 4.

The re-development of Ralph Square.

Ralph Square is the small square opposite Captains Hill, which links the Main
Street to the riverside. The area is too small to form a square of civic
proportions but is potentially a very attractive space because of its narrow
entrance and the small scale of the surrounding development.

The current building uses (the An Post office, Des Kelly store) and the A.I.B.
car park tend to attract vehicular traffic and do not create a vibrant pedestrian centre. The space should have restricted vehicular movement for loading and private parking only.

Enterprises which stimulate pedestrian movement, recreation and the leisure
activity of the river should be promoted. An Post have indicated that they
intend to vacate the sorting office and an appropriate building use should be
encouraged

The entrance to the riverside walk should be defined by forming a wrought
iron decorative 'gateway'.This would help to co-relate this entrance with the
entrance at the carpark on Main Street.

The design of Des Kelly Carpets façade and the excessive number of
advertisements on the façade are not in keeping with the character of the
village. The owner should be encouraged to remove excessive signs and to
re-design the shopfront in a manner sympathetic with the streetscape.

Encourage the owners of Healthy Ways and adjoining retail unit to occupy or
let the buildings.

Encourage the owner of the dwelling adjacent to Miss Wongs restaurant to
repair and occupy the building.

7.5 Proposal 5

The junction of Mill Lane and Main Street

The elevational treatment of the E.S.B. shop, no. 2, while it has been upgraded in the recent past, is still of poor quality. This building occupies a very prominent location
as it is on an axis with the main road into Leixlip.

The elevational treatment of this entire building should be re-designed. This location would be ideal for a building with a public or civic use. The width and alignment of the
road at this junction may also provide an opportunity to incorporate a sculptural element, which could act as a focal point to the entrance of the town.

7.6 Proposal 6

The rear garden behind Number 1 Main Street provides a great opportunity for the development of the town centre while also defining the entrance to the town.

7.7 Proposal 7

Extend a pedestrian walkway from Ralph Square to Liffey Bridge. The entrance 'gateway' to the Riverside park should be designed in a similar manner to the entrances
from Ralph Square and Carpark to provide a single and coherent identity.

7.8 Proposal 8

The area of land extending behind the eastern side of Captains Hill presents an opportunity to extend the town centre with the creation of a new street. This street could
potentially extend back to Main Street and Mill Lane with either pedestrian or vehicular access. Any proposal could also provide car-parking to facilitate the additional development.