Local Notes: Ferrybank road works, bus network update, Women's Shed on tour and more...
An old view of Ferrybank - the landscape has changed significantly as development works on the North Quays progress.
The Abbey Road closure, now in place for over two weeks, will cause problems for all road users for the next four weeks until August 16. Heavy goods lorries and buses are the most affected by the change, although residents must add 10 minutes to their journey each way. The school holidays have helped, so hopefully, by the time schools reopen, the works will be completed. It is worth noting that during the construction work on Abbey Road, access to Power's Funeral Directors, Power's Funeral Home, and St. Joseph’s Home (Little Sisters) is unaffected. Motorists are asked to slow down on the country roads to avoid unnecessary accidents. All heavy goods vehicles must use the Port Road as part of the diversion, as the Peafield and Kilmurray lanes are not suitable. It is important to note that businesses in the Abbey Park area are significantly impacted by road closures and need their customers to take the extra 10 minutes to support them.
The Ted and Mary O'Regan Arts Bursary celebrated its 20th anniversary at Garter Lane last week. Ted, with Mary as his inspiration, led many creative initiatives. After their deaths in 2003 (Ted aged 72) and 2004, Waterford's arts community launched the bursary in their honour. Supported by Waterford City and County Council, Waterford City Enterprise Board, Garter Lane Arts Centre, and others, the bursary has awarded €120,000 to local artists since 2005. Ted and Mary are fondly remembered in Ferrybank for founding creative drama classes in the parish hall and organising bus trips. The O'Regan family lived in The Grove, Rockenham, with sons Philip, an accountant in Cork; John, a professional artist in the West of Ireland; and daughter Pauline, now in Tramore. Ted also had a huge interest in sport and particularly soccer. In his early days he played for many clubs as a goalkeeper, the pinnacle of which was his playing days for Waterford FC.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has released its draft new bus network for Waterford, a key part of BusConnects Waterford aimed at transforming the city's bus system. The new plan proposes a 100% increase in bus services in Waterford city and its suburbs, with more high-frequency routes, improved Sunday and early morning services, and extended coverage to new areas. Bus services will be within a 400-metre walk for 73% of residents.
Four routes will operate every 15 minutes, seven days a week, including Route 4 from Outer Ring Road to Ferrybank. Areas currently served in one direction will gain two-way services, and new services will reach Kilbarry, Skibbereen, Dunmore Road, and Slieverue.
Detailed information is available on the BusConnects website. This is a great opportunity to influence the future of public transport in Ferrybank. A new bus route connecting Ferrybank directly with SETU College, Whitfield Clinic, and the SETU Arena at regular intervals will benefit residents, including students. Combined with the new railway station and sustainable bridge connection to the city centre, this will make Ferrybank even more attractive. For feedback, visit the consultation portal on the website or email queries to waterfordnetwork@busconnects.ie.
The group had a wonderful trip to the Dunbrody recently as part of the ‘Roses from the Heart’ Bonnet Tribute. Learning more about our history gave them a deeper understanding of the hardship our ancestors faced and sparked lots of interesting conversations. It felt like they stepped into the women’s shoes, that they were making Bonnet tributes for. Spending time in such a tight space, we can’t imagine how it must have been for the women on the Martin Luther in 1852. The Martin Luther was a Barc sailing vessel, as was the Dunbrody. It really felt like stepping back in time.
A big thank you to all the wonderful staff at Dunbrody for making it a memorable experience. The group look forward to coming again next year. Hopefully they might have the pleasure of having Dr. Christina Henri join us. Dr. Christina Henri is the founder of the ‘Roses from the Heart’. Another big thank you must be mentioned because all this couldn’t be possible without the help and support from WWETB.
Congratulations to Maria Ronan, Marymount, on winning €200 in the St Mary's Cathedral monthly draw recently.
Dunnes Stores are actively engaging with Kilkenny County Council in relation to Ferrybank Shopping Centre, but an official opening date has not yet been confirmed, is the latest update from the Piltown Municipal District monthly meeting. Dunnes Stores have agreed to engage with the Ferrybank Local Area Plan, but it will be Dunnes Stores and only Dunnes Stores that will decide the fate of the shopping centre.
While works continue with the near completion of the car park near Glenmore (Ballyverneen), the Project Landowner Liaison Officer is continuing to engage with landowners adjoining the greenway in relation to boundary treatment and crossing points at certain areas such as near Curragh, and Slieverue to Glenmore. Huge progress has been made on 5.5km of greenway between Ferrybank and Curraghmore.
