WORK on re-developing Plunkett Station in Waterford could begin in a number of weeks following the local council’s decision to grant planning permission.
Iarnród Éireann’s 17 million re-development plan has been given the go-ahead, subject to 20 conditions, and will get under way in the near future if there is no appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
The work is expected to take about 18 months to complete.
Local Green Party councillor Brendan McCann had objected to the proposal when it was submitted to Waterford City Council.
The project includes a 328-bay multi-storey car park as well as bus interchange facilities, a customer area, retail units, and a ticket office and toilets.
A mezzanine level will include staff toilets and a canteen.
Brendan McCann’s objection centred around the planned car park, while he also said that the red-brick facade of the building should be kept. He described the proposed building as “ugly” and “visually obtrusive” in his objection.
Plunkett Station’s current guise dates back to 1965 and, according to Iarnród Éireann in its renewal plans, new parking capacity and space were long overdue.
Increases in the amount of people using the rail service to and from Waterford and the ongoing investment in rolling stock and tracks also prompted the decision to try and upgrade the station, according to the rail company.
Much local concern centres on traffic problems in front of the station, with long delays experienced by motorists at the adjacent Rice Bridge at peak times.
A traffic consultant is reviewing the traffic problems at the problematic junction, as well as all of the N25 corridor, which sees an average of about 40,000 vehicles every day.
Much attention is focussed on the difficulties experienced by motorists coming out of Plunkett Station, into rush-hour traffic, and the delays faced by traffic coming from both directions on the N25, when trying to turn onto the bridge and into the city centre at the roundabout.
Irish Examiner
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