We understand that a small parcel of land, (approximately 2 acres), has now been purchased by Tipperary Co. Council, from the Ryan Family, to construct the long awaited inner relief road for Thurles town, same planned to join the N62 at Slievenamon Road, Thurles, exiting northwards, unto the Mill Road.
ProposedThurles Inner Relief Road.
An Bord Pleanala granted permission for the development of this Thurles inner relief road 10 years ago, in July 2014. Same was granted resulting in the annulation and total destruction of the historic Great Famine Double Ditch, which we here at Thurles.Info fought so hard to retain, while local Thurles press and Thurles local radio remained totally silent on the issue.
Late last year the acquisition 4.5 acres of land had been sought in ongoing discussions, however up until recently, no land purchase to provide for such a relief road had been agreed despite the destruction of Thurles history undertaken by Tipperary Co. Council, aided by Thurles local councillors.
In Tipperary Co. Councils Management report of February 2023 (See last item on bottom of page 9), Tipperary Council Council state that the Thurles Inner Relief Road scheme would take approximately 3 years to complete. A consultant was expected to have the tender documentation prepared by Q4 2023, so that a works contractor could be appointed by Q1 2024, with the next stage being to “Secure funding to deliver the Inner Relief Road project and finalise land acquisition.”
So far as the public are aware to date, only €75,000 had been allocated to this project, under the Regional and Local Roads Programme. However, (SEE HERE), Fianna Fáil TD Mr Jackie Cahill stated, (video of October 2021 last), quote “I am delighted to have secured funding for this inner relief road”.
A contract for the purchase is expected to be officially signed on Friday next. Same will also now allow for the construction of a footpath on the Mill Road, previously put on hold by the failure to acquire the same stated property.
From yesterday, Monday 20th May, e-scooters will be legal to use and operate on a public road, under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, however, it should be noted that the following rules and restrictions will apply.
E-scooters can only be used:
by people over 16 years of age.
on cycle and bus lanes.
on local, regional and national roads.
E-scooters are not permitted:
to be used by people under 16 years-of-age.
to carry goods or passengers.
to be used on footpaths, pedestrianised areas or on motorways.
to exceed a speed limit of 20 km/h.
Note: An Garda Síochána will be enforcing the new rules and regulations with regards same vehicles.
Q. What is an e-scooter? A. An electric scooter (e-scooter) is a vehicle with a small standing platform and no seat, for use by one person only, with two or more wheels, propelled by an electric motor. The rider may also propel the e-scooter forward by pushing.
Q. When do the new laws for e-scooters come into force? A. The regulations for e-scooters came into force yesterday, Monday May 20th 2024.
Q. Are e-scooters legal in Ireland? A. From May 20th 2024, e-scooters are legal to use on public roads under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023.
Q. What is the minimum age limit for e-scooter users? A. E-scooter users must be aged 16 years or older. Gardai will have the power to seize an e-scooter if it’s being used by anyone under the age of 16 years.
Q. Do I need to register, tax, or insure my e-scooter? A. No.
Q. Do I need a licence to use my e-scooter in a public place? A. No.
Q. What are the rules for using e-scooters in Ireland? A. From May 20th 2024, e-scooter users must:
Drive on the left, including in cycle and bus lanes.
Be 16 or older.
Obey the rules of the road, particularly for traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, pelican crossings and zebra crossings.
Obey signals given by a Garda or school warden.
Obey all traffic lights, including bicycle traffic lights.
Obey all traffic signs in the same way that they apply to cyclists.
Not carry passengers or goods.
Not use the footpath.
Obey a speed limit of 20km/h.
Not hold or use a mobile phone.
Q. What are the technical specifications for e-scooters? A. E-scooters must:
Have a maximum power output of 400 watts or less.
Have a maximum weight of 25 kg (including batteries).
Have a maximum design speed of 20 km/h or less.
Have wheels with a minimum diameter of 200mm.
Be fitted with front and rear lights, reflectors, brakes and a bell.
Be fitted with a manufacturer’s plate certifying the power output, weight and design speed.
Q. What if my e-scooter doesn’t meet the technical requirements in the regulations? A. If your e-scooter doesn’t meet the current legislative requirements, it will remain illegal for you to use it in a public place. Same will be subject to enforcement by An Garda Síochana and may be seized.
Q. Can I carry a passenger on an e-scooter? A.No. It’s illegal and unsafe for you to carry a passenger on an e-scooter and a fixed charge noticewill apply if you’re caught.
Q. What rules apply for e-scooters for alcohol/drugs? A. An e-scooter may not be used while under the influence of an intoxicant. An e-scooter user charged with this offence will face a court appearance and can be fined up to €2,000.
Q. What are the rules governing the use of e-scooters in public places? A. From 20 May, E-scooters can be used: • by people over 16. • on cycle and bus lanes. • on local, regional and national roads.
E-scooters are not permitted: • to be used by people under 16. • to carry goods or passengers. • to have a seat. • to be used on footpaths, pedestrianised areas or on motorways.
In addition, where a bicycle is not permitted, e-scooters are not permitted either.
Rules that govern bicycle use, also now apply to the use of e-scooters.
Tipperary County Council wish to advise motorists and the general public, visiting Nenagh, that a one-way traffic management system will be brought into effect in Nenagh Town Centre from today, April 11th, 2024 at approximately 11:00am this morning.
The scheme arises from the recommendations of a 2019 traffic report for Nenagh Town and is expected to improve vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow through the town centre via changes to traffic flow, junction controls and street layouts.
Tipperary County Council published notification of the scheme in April 2023 under Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994, as amended by Section 46 of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, and construction work has been ongoing since January, to allow for its implementation.
Measures to be introduced, include changing Pearse Street, Mitchel Streel, Emmet Place and Kickham Street to two-lane one-way streets, with traffic flow on Silver Street and Emmet Place reversed to align with the clockwise direction of the one-way system.
Larger HGVs will be restricted from turning left from Mitchel Street onto Sarsfield Street and will be required to turn right onto Emmet Place.
Traffic lights will be removed at the Market Cross and the mini roundabout and pedestrian barriers will be removed at the Summerhill/Kickham Street junction. The installation of well-lit zebra crossings at key pedestrian desire lines is provided. Raised tables at several of the crossings will aid in managing traffic speeds.
The bus stop on the eastern side of Kickham Street (outside Rocky’s Bar) will remain, while the bus stop on the western side of Kickham Street will be relocated to Pearse Street (outside Careplus).
Scheme details and traffic diagrams can be viewed in the attached information booklet, found HERE.
The Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF), the largest representative body for self-catering properties in Ireland, says tomorrow’s anticipated signing of the EU’s Regulation on short-term rental data collection and sharing in Brussels will have positive, long-term consequences for the sector in Tipperary.
Once signed and after official publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, EU Member States will have a 24-month period to establish the mechanisms for data exchanges, which are already being prepared with the support of the Commission.
Ms Máire ní Mhurchú, (Chair of the ISCF) speaking at a recent Tourism Networking event in March last 2024.
By setting a data collection and sharing framework for the EU Member States, the EU Regulation harmonises registration requirements for short term lets when introduced by national authorities, clarify rules to ensure registration numbers are displayed and checked on online booking platforms, and streamlines data sharing between online platforms and public authorities.
Ms Máire ní Mhurchú, (Chairperson of the ISCF), who has travelled to the European Parliament for the signing process, says the EU Regulation will quantify the amount of available self-catering in Tipperary and will raise and maintain standards across the industry.
Ms ní Mhurchú says the move will also strengthen the sustainability of the sector by highlighting the economic important role played by small family-run businesses in rural communities.
The ISCF CEO is warning, however, that the implementation of the STTL Register must be accompanied by the introduction of clear planning guidelines around the development of glamping and other self-catering businesses, the absence of which she says is exacerbating the ongoing critical shortage of available bed nights in Ireland.
“The Register, adapted to the standards of the EU Regulation, will help to support the further development of the self-catering sector as making rural communities economically viable is core EU principle,” she explained. “For far too long in Ireland, hotel accommodation has been legislated for and promoted which is of little benefit to rural communities as such developments are only regarded as economically viable for large urban centres like Cork, Galway, Waterford, Limerick and Dublin as evidenced in the Saville and Crowe reports into the domestic tourism and hospitality market.”
She continued, “We also welcome the appointment of Fáilte Ireland as the statutory authority with responsibility for implementing the Register. This move will place the self-catering sector on a par with other tourism organisations, such as the Irish Hotels Federation and Camping Ireland.”
Commenting on the requirement for updated planning legislation for the development of short-term tourist lettings in Ireland, Ms. ní Mhurchú said, “The planning issues for short term rentals needs to be urgently reviewed. Currently, self-catering accommodation is looked on as housing units rather than economic value units.”
Ms Ní Mhurchú warned that the supplementary income of many families operating within the sector will be significantly impacted unless full clarification is issued regarding the planning permission process ahead of the implementation of the STTL Register.
“We are calling on Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin and Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien to sit down with the ISCF to ensure no self-catering businesses, many of which are small family rural tourism businesses, are lost. Issues with planning need to be sorted first, with a derogation for all existing STTL businesses. Clear guidelines for planners and owners are essential before the Register is introduced”, she concluded.
Yes, there are local elections taking place shortly.
Proof of same is the announcement of the well kept-secret by Thurles Municipal District councillors that a schedule of Municipal District work, same valued at over €10 million, has now been approved by the Department of Transport.
We are also happy to announce that after a three year wait, temporally work has eventually begun on Kickham Street in the town, this morning April 5th, 2024.
Crater at Junction of Croke Street and Croke Gardens, same measuring 61cm (2ft) by 74cm (2.4 ft) across, approximately. (Compare size with stop tap included in picture.)
The work schedule for the area includes roads improvement and pothole maintenance, to the tune of €8 million including Barry’s bridge, [latter announced for repair back in May 2023]. The €10 million overall approved upgrade will include work on footpath improvements, safety schemes, housing maintenance, street cleaning, burial ground maintenance, maintenance of amenities and drainage works all within the Thurles District.
€1.5 million will be assigned to maintaining burial grounds, parks and open spaces, as well as street cleaning, with some €200,000 granted under the General Municipal Allocation to Village Enhancement Works, for Christmas lighting, festivals, grants and residents association supports.
Recent Comments