‘Transformative’ Tipperary riverfront project officially opened
A “transformative” new Tipperary walkway, which was officially launched this week, aims to enhance the area for locals and tourists alike, and make the scenic banks of the River Shannon more accessible for all.
Tipperary County Council Cathaoirleach John Carroll officially opened the Ballina Access Promenade and Viewing Platform — a project co-funded by the council and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
The project was due to be unveiled by Minister Dara Calleary, who is from Ballina, but circumstances beyond his control forced him to pull out.
Councillor John Carroll said that the project was one that the town of Ballina would benefit from well into the future.
"The outcome is a credit to all the people who worked on the project, and we will reap the dividends of investment in facilities such as these for many years to come.
"This is only one of a number of projects that we have been providing and are in the course of either planning, or delivering across the Nenagh Municipal District, and indeed across all of Tipperary,” Cllr Carroll said.
"Providing appropriate facilities for the development and sustainability of our communities is a key part of our role as a local authority and as representatives of people in the communities,” he added.
Cathaoirleach of the Nenagh Municipal District, Cllr Phyll Bugler said that the project aims to increase accessibility from Ballina’s Riverside Park to the rest of the town.
"For some time, we have recognised that there was a challenge in terms of accessibility for those who wanted to progress from the Riverside Park to the other side of the town, to access Ballina Quay and the hospitality sector,” she said.
"There was a need to insure that wheelchair users and families with buggies were provided with the appropriate way of accessing both sides, so this wonderful project here delivered on this to improve connectivity in the town,” Cllr Bugler added.
The new access promenade is the second large-scale infrastructure project to be unveiled in the town this summer, with the €88million Brian Boru Bridge, providing a bypass of the twin town of Killaloe, as well as upgrading the road into Ballina, which was officially opened in May.
Cllr Bugler said that now with the new bridge and infrastructure projects in the town, a renewed push was needed to promote the town and all it has to offer.
Tipperary County Council chief executive Sinead Carr said that the project will be “transformational” for the town and the people who live, work and socialise there.
"In Ballina today we see an example of how funding through the Town and Village Renewal Fund has allowed us to develop this particular facility for the people of Ballina, and it in itself will be transformational in terms of how people use this village, and how they use the recreational facilities around it,” Ms Carr said.
Thanking the elected members of the Nenagh Municipal District who helped to get the project across the line, Ms Carr said that councillors can have a tough role in the process of deciding on infrastructure projects in balancing the pros and cons.
"The councillors have a significant role in ensuring when projects come through, that they bring them through a Part 8 planning process, and that’s never an easy decision to make because there are always people who are for it and against it, and it is up to them to weigh up the arguments of both sides and try and come up a balanced decision that will maximise the potential,” she said.
"That’s a difficult position to be in, especially when you’re part and parcel of your local community,” Ms Carr added.
The Ballina Access Promenade and Viewing Platform was part-funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, with Tipperary County Council being able to match the funding provided by the Department.