Tipperary County Council values as we are well aware are, as William Shakespeare once stated; “More honoured in the breach than the observance”, especially when it comes to issues like ‘partnership’, ‘collaboration’ and the development of ‘inclusive community’, not to mention their solemn promise, (try not to laugh), ‘To protect and enhance the unique identity of built, historic and natural environment of Tipperary for future generations’.
While the final drawings for the Liberty Square €9million upgrade remain ‘kept tightly under wraps’, by Tipperary County Council official’s from even the business people who depend on their future livelihoods in this area; today we notice that one small problem has raised its ugly head.
It would appear that at least one newly designed drain, responsible for extricating water from the street area is today fully blocked. Unless of course same was placed in that area as ornamentation.
Alas, time and the prevailing elements forbade us from checking out the area fully. However the shore blocked can be located directly opposite the vacant, once licenced public house, known as T. Morris, situated on the “money side” of lower Liberty Square.
Still not to worry, as builder Mr O’ Reilly said to Basil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers, “If the good Lord ment us to worry, he would have given us something to worry about”.
Gardaí, covering the Clonmel area of Co. Tipperary, are appealing for immediate assistance from the public, in relation to the theft of 4 different Catalytic Converters stolen from vehicles in the the areas of Clonmel, Drangan and Cloneen, between the 10th and 11th of August 2021 last.
It is believed that 4 male individuals travelling in a Blue Skoda Octavia (sports type) may have been involved in these 4 thefts.
Gardaí, today, are appealing to people with CCTV or Dashcam footage to make contact with them on Tel: 052 6177640. Clonmel Gardaí are also appealing for people to be vigilant of their property and that of their community and to report immediately any suspicious activity to your local Garda Station.
Thurles Gardaí attended at the scene of a road traffic collision in the area of the Horse & Jockey near Thurles, Co. Tipperary yesterday (August 3rd 2021) at approximately 5.50pm.
The Vehicles involved included a lorry and a motorcyclist.
A man understood to be from the locality, aged in his 50s was injured and taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment.
A man in his 80s was arrested and conveyed to Templemore Garda Station. He was later released, pending a file being forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
A motorist has, sadly, lost his life following a single road collision in Clogheen, Co Tipperary, yesterday afternoon.
The incident happened at about 2.40pm near Loughlin’s Bridge on the narrow winding Vee road, close to the village of Clogheen, when the vehicle, being driven, crashed into a tree.
The motorist, a man aged in his 80s, was the sole occupant of the car was treated at the scene but later died.
The man’s body was then taken to Waterford University Hospital, where a post-mortem examination is expected to take place later.
Garda Forensic Collision Investigators have completed their examination of the scene and the road has now reopened.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cahir Garda Station, Tel: 052-7445630, the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111 or indeed any Garda station.
The €9 million plus rejuvenation of Liberty Square, Thurles is surely be welcomed. Improvements have been made both below ground and above ground, and most people will agree that the lighting fixtures and granite pavement choices for the square are aesthetically pleasing.
Nevertheless, the persistent presence of a maze of barricades, coupled with the disappearance of beloved trees and the apparent narrowing of the roadways, has prompted quite a lot of head scratching, eyebrow raising and questioning among locals of late.
With 4 traffic lanes reduced to 2, in Liberty SquareThurles ;[See HERE] how will ordinary street traffic pull out of the way, to avoid emergency vehicles, latter responding to any emergency incident. e.g. Ambulance / Doctor / Fire Brigade services? Pic: G. Willoughby
Here are just some of the questions being asked by our readers and Thurles residents.
(1) When will the rejuvenation project actually finish? Rumours abound, but at best it is estimated to be possibly March/April 2022 and at worst it could be July/August 2022.
(2) As the pedestrian areas on Liberty Square expand and increase while road space decreases, will there actually be sufficient space for ordinary traffic to pull over to avoid emergency vehicles, e.g. ambulances and fire engines, latter responding to emergency incidents, not to mention the ability of 20 wheeler delivery trucks, to pass, travelling in different directions? [See picture above.]
(3) If plans are being aimed to deter traffic and attract pedestrians, what impact will this have on our surrounding streets and roads?
(4) Having removed our healthy trees in an act of what can only be described as sheer savagery, are there any plans to replant same?
(5) We have beautiful pavements and an abundance of pedestrian space, but what is going to be done to get foot fall on these footpaths?
(6) What plans are in place to support and stimulate the Liberty Square economy?
Finding the answers to these questions is proving difficult based on current plans.
Although limited consultations have taken place with local residents, business owners and other interested parties, same appear to be little more than token in nature with none of the submissions by residents being implemented.
Indeed, it would appear that a final version of the plan for Liberty Square’s rejuvenation has yet to be released to the public. Some locals worry that the absence of a final plan and completion date may be indicative of inadequate planning. As the saying goes “fail to plan and you plan to fail”. Let’s hope that this isn’t the case.
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