Major revamp of Dunmore’s Bridge Street scaled back
New plan focuses on safety works
THE long-planned Regeneration Project at Bridge Street in Dunmore is set to be significantly scaled back.
Senior Roads engineer Conrad Harley told last week's meeting Tuam MDC that the focus is now solely on improving safety and the planned dereliction work as well as the creation of a new urban park have been put on hold.
Local residents and businesses have campaigned for years regarding the ongoing traffic problems caused by the narrow street and the resulting risks to pedestrians and schoolchildren. Serious concerns have also been raised regarding the derelict buildings either side of the road in the town centre.
“The overall project has been simplified, as we are concentrating our attentions on improving safety. We want to get this sorted first without getting lost trying to do everything else that was initially promised,” explained Mr Harley.
The original regeneration project proposed to demolish the derelict properties on the east side of the street from the former Piper Reilly Pub to the bridge. This section of the N83 would then be widened significantly for through traffic. The plan also provided for a new Urban Park and civic space with outdoor seating, a rain garden, planting and a public art wall.
Address safety concerns
“My current goal for Bridge Street is to address the safety concerns here. This is something I’m working on alongside the TII, with our focus being on three separate projects,” explained Mr Harley.
“At the corner of Bridge Bar, we want to realign the road space, make this corner safer for vehicles. The second revolves around diverting children away from Bridge Street by developing the pedestrian routes so that children no longer need pass this street.
“This will be done partly through the new walkway along the river, giving people a safer way to get to the town centre. The third project is the installation of a Stop and Go system. We can use the old footpaths, as now it would just be for one lane of traffic.
The new plans will be subject to approval following a public consultation period, which Mr Harley is hopeful will be up and running early next year.
“Bridge Street has quickly become a standing item at all of our MD meetings, with many people concerned by the stalled nature of the project,” commented Cllr Ollie Turner.
“I would like to see us start a streetscape project in town; it would be a great way get the properties on Bridge Street back looking in good condition.
“I know some owners have done things already, but money for painting and helping with the gutters would be hugely beneficial,” he concluded.