Concerns raised over parking and train station at Waterford's North Quays
An artist's impression of the North Quays transport hub entrance.
Concerns were expressed last week regarding the availability of parking and the size of the new train station at the North Quays.
The matter was discussed during a meeting of elected members in the Piltown electoral area.
It is understood that the train station will have an accompanying car park with 200 spaces available.
Additionally, there is provision for parking under the apartments for use by residents and provision for parking on the left side of the site for the hotel.
Michael Quinn, Director of Services at Waterford City and County Council, assured, during a presentation on the development last month, that "there's more than adequate parking for the overall development".
Councillors in the Piltown electoral area expressed doubts, however, that there will be enough parking on the site to serve the new station.
Cllr Pat Dunphy said that currently at Plunkett Station, there are 150 car parking spaces available, which are typically full by 11am.
Regarding the 200 spaces planned at the new train station, Cllr Dunphy said: “There's not going to be room at all. I don’t know who plans these things. I was disappointed with the amount of spaces."
Cllr Dunphy added that a solution needs to forwarded quickly.
"The best time to get anything done is now, whatever the cost will be, because the fix for that in the future will cost a lot more money."
He also expressed disappointment with the train station itself saying: "There's very little going to be in the station. There might be a bit of a shop but that’s about as much as I could see.”
Cllr Fidelis Doherty agreed with her party colleague, saying that the train station is “narrow”.
“It’s a fantastic building, but it’s actually quite narrow.
"I was quite surprised by that. It seems when people are getting on or off a train there will be very little manoeuvre space for a population of people to be moving about."
Cllr Doherty added: “For such a mammoth project, there doesn’t seem to be enough provision for parking."
