As reported by The Munster Express in recent weeks, Councillors are frustrated waiting for the National Transport Authority to complete a feasibility report into the electric shuttle bus which was originally planned as part of the North Quays development. The electric, driverless, shuttle bus was intended to transport people from the Transport Hub in Ferrybank (where the new train station is) to the Waterford City side of the Suir, using the new pedestrian bridge.
Councillors were informed last autumn that the bus is no longer included in the plans, with reports suggesting that this was due to the change in developer, as Harcourt Developments took over from the Alhokair Group.
In relation to the NTA report, Director of Services for Economic Development, Michael Quinn, said at Waterford Council’s Plenary Meeting for December: “I still have not received the report form the NTA on the shuttle bus. I have had a discussion with them about it, but I haven’t received the final report”.
“At this stage I thought we would have it, but as soon as it is available we will share it.”
This came in response to a question from Independent Councillor, Joe Kelly, who outlined the situation, “I think for such a valuable bridge and the traffic situation, it [the electric bus] would be vital to bring people across from the new station to the City and vice-versa, without them having to walk in horrendous weather conditions across the bridge,” he said.
“I think taking that bus off was a huge mistake,” continued Cllr. Kelly. “It was one of the selling points of the whole thing when we were coming up with that new bridge. It is just so short-sighted it is beyond words really.”
Councillors were informed at the January meeting for the Metropolitan Area that the NTA’s feasibility study was now in its final draft and is expected by the end of the month.
Minister for Transport
Minster for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, visited the North Quays development in Ferrybank on Friday, January 23, last. He was accompanied by Minister of State at the Department of Health, Mary Butler, and the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, John Cummins.
The Minster spoke to The Munster Express during his visit.
The original plan for this development had an electric bus that went over and back on the pedestrian bridge, that’s no longer part of the plan. Does that lessen the impact of the overall project?
To which, Minister O’Brien replied, “No, not at all.”
“This is one of the largest investments any government has made in this region in decades, and I think to be fair it has been embraced by resident here, I have been in Waterford many times with Mary [Butler] and John [Cummins] over the course of it.
“This is nothing but a good news story, it is good for Waterford, it is good for the region, and it will be a catalyst for further investment.
“I have been very impressed with the regeneration work that is happening, in the historical quarter, the Viking Triangle, which we would have been involved in before as well. You’re looking at more work that will be done on the Quays itself.
“If you think about it, with the residential development that’s going to happen, along with the commercial development along the Quays here, it’s going to transform this area. I think my colleagues who are representing Waterford with great distinction every day of the week in Dáil Éireann can speak to that too, and what it means to their constituents.”
AARON KENT
Funded by The Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
