Waterford council say they will facilitate Bus Éireann moving a lost bus stop
The Director of Roads said that the car park which was the suggested location belongs to the council and if Bus Éireann want to move the stop there, they are welcome to do so. Stock Image.
Waterford City and County Council have said they will do work on the carpark in Grange if Bus Éireann want to use it.
That is according to the Director of Roads at Waterford City and County Council, Gabriel Hynes, at the November sitting of Dungarvan-Lismore District Council.
Mr Hynes was responding to Councillors Pat Nugent, Kate O’Mahoney and Tom Cronin, who all supported the idea of opening a bus stop in the carpark to replace the one closed on the N25.
Mr Hynes said there was no issue with that as the car park belongs to the council.
But Cllr Cronin pointed out that the entrance to the car park was designed for cars and was too small for buses.
Mr Hynes responded that the council would adjust the entrance of the carpark.
“I would say the car park is in our own ownership, Cllr Cronin, so the entrance is within our control, and if Bus Eireann expresses an interest in turning off the N25 and using the car park as a pickup, we certainly will facilitate that and we can make the necessary adjustments as required,” said Mr Hynes.
Councillors also asked if the council could speak with Local Link to move their Grange stop to accommodate those who previously used the N25 pick-up.
Cllr Cronin said many people who use the bus stop do not have another choice.
“It was a pity that the bus was stopped before there was an alternative to put in place because there are a lot of old age people who have suffered and will suffer more as they go on and just can't be driving to Cork and Waterford- it's just outside their limit because they are not capable in some cases,” said Cllr Cronin.
Cllr Cronin said that he had spoken with Local Link, but they say they do not have the funding to make adjustments to their routes.
Cllr John Pratt, who is the chair of Local Link, said that is the case.
“I think what has happened lately is that, like, there are a lot of requests in the system looking for new routes, but the reality is that the NTA has no funding available.
“When we got a lot of those requests, we were really hoping that funding would become available, but at the moment we are totally dependent on extra funding from the NTA to bring in new routes to areas,” said Cllr Pratt.
Mr Hynes said the Local Link passes on the parallel regional road and that he would think the short distance would be feasible and wouldn’t cost a significant amount of money.
He said that they would discuss it with Local Link.
Cllr Pratt said it was a general point and not necessarily about Grange.
Bus Éireann has been contacted for comment.
