Major upgrade approved for historic Tipperary bus and train station
Plans for a major upgrade of a historic Tipperary bus and railway station have been given the green light, paving the way for improved accessibility and modern facilities for passengers.
Bus Éireann had applied to Tipperary County Council for works at Clonmel Bus and Railway Station on Thomas Street, including the installation of a new bus shelter with seating to replace what’s currently there, as well as new paving, kerbs, timetable signage and road resurfacing to the front of the railway station building to accommodate a new accessible bus stop.
Revised car parking layouts, footpaths and an accessible set down area, a new pedestrian crossing within the site, new steps and ramp with balustrade within the site leading from the station to Thomas Street, a new pedestrian crossing at Thomas Street, new bicycle stands and new lighting also form part of the upgrade plans.
Now, Tipperary County Council have granted permission for the development, subject to four conditions.
Among the conditions are that any works to the protected structure of the bus and train station is overseen by a professional in conservation, that details of the colours and materials to be used be agreed with the council in advance of the works getting underway, and that a construction management plan be submitted to the local authority, including details of a traffic management plan for while construction works are ongoing.
While Clonmel Bus and Railway Station is a protected building, a report on the planned works notes that any works carried out aim to enhance the historic building.
"The proposed development contains improvements to the public amenity of the area in front of the historic railway station and will enable improved presentation of the front (southern) façade of this fine mid nineteenth-century building,” the report states.
The proposed works will be funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA), and form part of a larger project which has seen work done on 22 bus stations around the country.
"The overall objective of the program is to improve access to the public transport network for people with disabilities and thus allow for improved options for participation in society by all people,” agents for Bus Éireann said in their planning application.
"The works will provide a considerably improved centrally located public transport interchange, multi modal hub which affords seamless and safe interchange between modes of transport for the public,” agents added.