New bus stops in Kilkenny towns get go-ahead - despite bus service uncertainty
Thomastown and Ballyhale work to be funded despite Bus Eireann route cancellation announcement
Confirmation that work on new and enhanced bus stops in Ballyhale and Thomastown will go ahead despite the cancellation of local routes by Bus Eireann, has been welcomed by Callan Thomastown municipal district councillors.
Area Engineer, Declan Murphy, told their recent meeting that the National Roads Authority (NTA) have instructed Kilkenny County Council to carry on with the project.
Despite the Bus Eireann announcement of its intention to cancel the Route 4 service, he said other bus services still go through Thomastown and the NTA are in dialogue with Bus Eireann and they have two months to ‘try and sort something out’ to ensure Ballyhale retains a service.
Mr Murphy brought an update to the meeting in relation to recent public consultation on the bus stops.
He said two submissions were received from the public. As a result a number of minor details have been incorporated into the design.
Kilkenny County Council recommends the works are approved under Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994.
Cllr Deirdre Cullen said it was positive news about the project going ahead. However, she said she is getting “a huge amount of correspondence” in concern at the Bus Eireann route cancellation. She welcomed that the NTA are looking at alternatives and are being positive.
Cllr Cullen proposed they write to the Minister for Transport, as a municipal district, asking for a replacement service ‘as a matter of urgency.’ Losing the Route 4 service will have a “huge impact” on the community in terms of connectivity, she said.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr Joe Lyons said it was ironic “we are being told to use public transport and they are taking it away from us.”
Cllr Joe Sheridan said he shared everybody’s disappointment at the ending of the Bus Eireann Route 4. “It’s a shame,” he said, adding that whatever can be done to get it back, and additional services, should be done.
“The bus route decision is scandalous,” Cllr Michael Doyle said. “It shows the lack of investment in rural Ireland and our way of life here.”