Rocketing costs see landmark Callan urban plan 'toned back'

Estimated costs for a rejuvenation project in Callan town centre are “through the roof” it has been revealed.

The plan to make major changes to Bridge Street will now have to go back to the drawing board, local councillors have been told.

However, it is hoped that the parts of the plan to install pedestrian crossings at either end of the street will go ahead this year.

At the June meeting of Callan Thomastown Municipal District councillors the news was revealed. 

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Area engineer Declan Murphy said that the project had gone out to tender earlier this year but the prices that had been received to carry out the work were “through the roof.”

He told the meeting that due to the estimated costs they will now have to redesign the scheme, then re-tender the works.

“We need to tone it back a bit on Bridge Street,” he said.

In the meantime, he said, they will refocus on what can be achieved in 2023, which is the parts of the plan to improve safety, and install pedestrian crossings, at the Bridge Street junction with Green Street and West Street, and at the bottom junction at the Coláiste Abhainn Rí school. 

€400,000 has been approved for the works this year.

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The full plan was to transform Bridge Street into a shared space for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists under the Active Travel Scheme. Tenders were invited for Bridge Street and adjacent local roads, comprising re-surfacing, kerbing, signage and roadmarkings, drainage, services ducts, works for statutory undertakers and landscaping in Callan on Bridge Street, Flaggy Lane, Green Street, West Street and Keogh's Lane.