West=On=Track -News

Ceannt Station to be focal point of new Eyre Square

Irish Independent - Tuesday 18th April 2006

Environment Correspondent

CIE is drawing up a multi-million euro blueprint for the development of a 14-acre site at Eyre Square in Galway, with a remodelled Ceannt Station at its heart.

The site includes the existing train and bus station, the railyard and bus depot.

Services at Ceannt Station are set to expand dramatically in the coming years.

Frequency on the existing Galway-Dublin line will expand to hourly at peak and two-hourly off-peak by 2008, operated by a new fleet of Intercity railcars.

The reopening of the western rail corridor from Ennis to Athenry, and the establishment of commuter services from Tuam and Oranmore necessitate a new expanded public transport facility.

This is being designed to cater for the growth in rail travel and to provide improved interchange for expanded Bus Eireann services.

Dr John Lynch, CIE chairman, said the masterplan would generate a new vision for Ceannt Station. The redevelopment will take place on a phased basis to ensure bus and rail services are not interrupted.

It will be a major mixed-use development, covering retail, residential and commercial purposes. A team of urban designers, architects, landscape architects, transport planners, consulting engineers and land-use consultants have been appointed by CIE to prepare the Urban Design Masterplan. This team will be led by architects Murray O'Laoire.

The company is to issue notices later this week for any interested parties or individuals to make suggestions or forward ideas to ensure that the people and businesses of Galway can contribute to the development.

The company is targeting 2007 to move to the planning application phase.