€1M has been allocated for the delivery of public realm and enhancement projects in Killaloe and Ballina but the wheels are not moving in Crusheen with no money set aside for the reopening of the rail stop in the village.
In February, Clare County Council put forward the Crusheen railway line plus the Killaloe/Ballina town enhancement and mobility plan as its selected projects for consideration for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).
Thirty projects across the country have been included in the combined allocation of €20,543,487 announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary (FF).
A total of €1,000,000 has been set aside for the Killaloe Ballina Twin Town Tourism, Regeneration and Enhancement Project. The funding will allow the project progress through detailed design, public consultation, and statutory planning approval. Securing the €1m for Killaloe was one of the last acts for Brian McCarthy, a senior planner who has been appointed Director of Service with Limerick City and County Council.
As part of the scheme, the public realm in both town centres will be revitalised while the vacant Killaloe Courthouse will be transformed into a cultural and music venue.
The project also places a strong emphasis on sustainable transport solutions, including enhanced pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, traffic management, and parking improvements, in line with the Killaloe-Ballina Town Enhancement and Mobility Plan.
Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) said, “This investment will help revitalise the centres of these historic towns, making them more attractive for investment, business growth and social activity and supporting their continued development as key hubs and destinations in the region”.
Declan Flanagan, A/Senior Engineer, Killaloe Municipal District said, “The public realm enhancement works proposed will also substantially improve accessibility in the twin towns by delivering an attractive and vibrant streetscape befitting their size and economic importance to the wider East Clare and North Tipperary areas”.
Unsuccessful in securing funding was the Crusheen rail stop. A socio-economic report by Repucon Consulting for Clare County Council released in September of last year detailed huge demand for the reopening of the Crusheen Railway Station on the Western Rail Corridor which is the Galway-Ennis-Limerick rail line.
There is an estimated market of 1,700 commuters and students currently living in the catchment of the station and an estimated economic value to the local economy of €25million arising from associated employment opportunities. As part of their business case, Clare County Council last summer purchased land adjoining the rail line and old station as part of their proposal to create a favourable business case.
