Tipperary County Council approves plan for renovations to major Tipperary town

The plan would see major renovations take place in Liberty Square, Thurles, and the surrounding streets in the town.

The renovations would involve the widening of footpaths in Liberty Square with new paving, raised pedestrian crossings at the junctions of Liberty Square and O’Donovan Rossa Street, Friar Street and Parnell Street, pedestrian crossings connecting the centre of Liberty Square to the north and south sides of Liberty Square, removal and relocation of car parking spaces from the centre of Liberty Square in favour of more prioritisation of perimeter parking, and disabled parking spaces and a bus stop.

On the surrounding streets, Friar Street will see minor alterations, including provision of high-quality paving to footpaths extending to the Croke Street junction from Liberty Square.

Parnell Street will see high-quality footpaths extend from Liberty SquTipperary County Council has approved the report on the public consultation stage of Phase Two of the Liberty Square Public Realm Scheme.

The decision was made at a special meeting held last week by the Thurles-Templemore Municipal District.

The motion was proposed by Cllr Peggy Ryan and seconded by Cllr Sean Ryan,

are to Hickey’s Lane, a raised table at the junction of Parnell Street, Cuchulainn Road and Castle Avenue, including safe pedestrian crossing points and the tightening of the junction to prohibit right turning of HGV traffic onto Cuchulain Road, more high-quality paving, and enhanced NTA Safe Routes to School measures including a raised zebra crossing at Scoil Ailbhe.

Cuchulain Road would become a one-way street under this new system for passengers heading towards O’Donovan Rossa Street, while footpaths on the street would be widened.

A raised table would be implemented at the junction of Cuchulain Road, Brittas Road and O’Donovan Rossa Street that would feature safe pedestrian crossing points, high-quality paving at the junction and to footpaths extending from Credit Union to Liberty Square, and the realignment of the streetscape on the existing two-way area to provide parking and dedicated provision for buses.

Cllrs Jim Ryan and Micheál Lowry raised their concerns for the project and the impacts it may have on the town during the meeting, with Cllr Ryan suggesting the plan be amended in some ways, as he was concerned with the loss of parking in Liberty Square and the impacts that it could have on the businesses in the area,

Cllr Lowry meanwhile said that he feels that the council needs to take a step back and analyse the town’s traffic situation as a whole in and around the town needs to be assessed.

Cathaoirleach Michael Smith concluded the meeting by saying the decision was being made in the best interest of the town.

Outside of the meeting hall, several business owners gathered in protest of the changes being made to Liberty Square, claiming that their businesses would take a hit due to the removal of parking spaces, and that many jobs would be put at risk.

They held posters displaying the messages “It’s okay to say no!” and “120 job losses!”