New bus station at redeveloped Colbert Station

Tadhg17

http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/Action-stations-as-Bus-Eireann.4959413.jp

Action stations as Bus Eireann gets approval

Date: 09 February 2009

A MODERN two-storey bus station is to built at Parnell Street within two years which will bring the terminus "up to the 21st century".
An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission for the €5.5million redevelopment of Colbert Station last week, after it was originally refused by Limerick City Council.

However, at an oral hearing in City Hall last October city planning officers did not voice as much opposition to the designs as originally expressed.

An Bord Pleanala have now overturned their ruling, while outlining a number of conditions before the development can proceed.

Overall, the board found that the plan would benefit the city, in spite of concerns in relation to the impact of works on Colbert Station, a protected structure.

It stated the development "would represent an enhanced transport hub which would be highly desirable in terms of expanding public transport facilities in Limerick city and surrounding areas".

The board also found that it would not adversely affect the proposals for an orbital route along Parnell Street – which was initially the case put forward by refusal by Limerick City Council.

The application by Bus Eireann to rejuvenate the station was partly in response to the Department of Transport's sectoral plan 2006.

And is understood that Bus Eireann may be reliant on the Department of Transport for a portion of the cost of the development, which could determine when construction could begin.

The plans will see a new bus station built at the current car parking area to the side of the existing station building. New car parking facilities will be developed where the bus bays are currently.

A landscape garden is planned for the carpark at the front of the station. An internal walkway will also connect the rail and bus station, providing greater ease of access for passengers.

Built in 1849 and designed by Sancton Wood, also architect of Heuston Station, the station was renamed after Con Colbert, the Limerick man executed following the 1916 Rising.

But the station was not originally intended to be located on Parnell Street. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage notes that "aristocratic and middle class interests prevented it from being constructed in the more fashionable parts of the city and it was thus built at the edge of the Victorian part of the Limerick city".

Aidric

Good news. Colbert station, in particular the grounds around it are long overdue a modernisation.

1huge1

More so parnell st in general that needs the upgrading but good news.

Karmafaerie

Parnell St is being upgraded.
It's one leg of the orbital system remember.
This paves the way for the work on the orbital system to start.
They couldn't untill confirmed plans on the bus station were approved.

Insect Overlord

I only found the Leader article from Monday earlier this morning, it was great to hear some positive news.

zuroph

city council refused planning? eurgh....

Declan30

zuroph wrote: »

city council refused planning? eurgh....

Yes Strange one what grounds did they do this on .Anyone knows this.

zuroph

i think they thought it would deface the listed building. didnt stop them when it came to king johns castle. :rolleyes:

topper75

Aristocratic and middle class types. Again?

:mad: Why, I oughtta learn 'em...

Paddico

Just resurrecting this.

Passed through yesterday. Really coming on but not fully there yet

Thought it would be good to discuss a thread of its own rather than just having in the general improvements thread

Cookiemunster

The bus station is basically finished. It's the retail element of the train station that's still under construction.

You'd probably been better off creating a new thread than resurrecting a 15 year old one though. Although I doubt that there's much to discuss at this stage when it's built and open.

sleepyman

I assume the plan would be maybe to have one or more units on the floor similar to Heuston? It looks a bit bare these days..

Poxyshamrock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121974792#Comment_121974792

yeah they’re currently working on the old Irish Rail office and the old Bus Éireann office which are on the left and right hand side as you walk in the main doors.

There is also another small retail unit in the bus station waiting area when you walk through the new front door.

LeoD

If only they had included easy access and secure indoor bike parking in the remodel it would make bike & bus/train combo trips much more doable. I think there are some bike lockers inside the station but cannot find any info on them and they're only suitable for 'standard' cycles.

what_traffic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121975399#Comment_121975399

Passed through it on a bus yesterday - looks the part.

Was looking out for the bike parking. Would you know what the logic of putting the bikeshare and regular bike stands together are?Looks somewhat a cramped space as well when there is lots available and also both are also somewhat hidden away with planters? Would have thought bikeshare would make more sense to be closer to Parnell Street itself.

LeoD

The current bike share and bike rack location couldn't be any worse if you tried. As you said, neatly hidden away which was probably the architect's idea to not spoil the facade of the existing building (not sure what they'd make of the giant plastic bins and tacky advertising signs installed later as well as the cool lights that cannot be replaced now after being destroyed by a motorist) but it's a perfect location for those with bad intentions to skulk around and interfere with bikes without anyone batting an eyelid. A few years ago the Gardaí set up a stall outside the station giving advice to bike users on how to lock their bikes securely - ie: buy an expensive lock - when the biggest issue of all was the location of the bike parking itself. It's exasperating how we cannot get the basics of cycle infrastructure right when there are loads of examples we can learn from and copy not too far from us.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121975399#Comment_121975399

Those lockers are beside platform 4 and are run by a private company who you rent long term off.

As mentioned one bike rack section is way too hidden and on the other side (may be gone now) there was ones that were not even locked properly to the ground anymore.

A lot of people seem to still do it the old fashioned Colbert way of locking them to the railings by platform 4.

Using one of the new units as secure parking would be great.

Paddico

Jez seriously missed opportunity if there's no covered bike rakes. Is there plans to put them in?

nigra

Does anyone have any idea what tennants will be going into the commercial units in the station?

Poxyshamrock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122053121#Comment_122053121

I’m not sure even CIE/Irish Rail/Bus Éireann know that.

Both Connolly and Heuston have attracted a Pret recently but not sure if Limerick or indeed Colbert is ready for that just yet.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122054055#Comment_122054055

With 2 coffee shops already I doubt it. There would be much better places for Pret to set up in Limerick.

You would assume a general shop would be a definite but I can't think of what else would go in. Outside of Dublin it's just a shop and a cafe in Cork and I think just a cafe in Galway.

Paddico

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122054055#Comment_122054055

Passed through Heuston last weekend. Looked really nice. Would be great in Limerick was the same. The city deserves it

Cookiemunster

Heuston is a hell of a lot busier than Colbert (22000 passengers per day v 3000 passengers per day). You won't get anywhere near the same level of retail as the footfall isn't there.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122061480#Comment_122061480

Passenger numbers are just nowhere near the same so I can't see it support the kind of food places Heuston or Connolly have. Bigger stations like Cork or Pearse St. have fek all.

Paddico

Wasn't comparing retail folks. Was comparing the look and feel

LeoD

Had a nose around last week. It's good for the city to have such a vastly improved central transport hub and it's still under construction but the lack of attention to the smaller items are a bit annoying. It would be nice if the timetabling info screens for both buses and trains looked somewhat similar but instead it looks like two completely distinct stations bolted to each other. New bike racks going in where the old bus bays were but they are once again designed by people who have little to understanding of what is required of bike parking.

Leonita

The new bus station is only open a few short months. But I've noticed its starting to get very grubby and dirty already which is such a shame. It needs a good powerhosing down on a regular basis. Ive said it to a few of the drivers and a supervisor who all agree with me.

Another thing I've noticed is the lack of clocks in the waiting areas outside. First world problem I know!

Also why have all those doors going out to the bus bays when most of them are locked most of the time. Also why lock the door leading into the toilets area sometimes?

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122082411#Comment_122082411

Not sure what the plan is for the bus bays but in any other station I have been in with a similar set up only doors to buses leaving soon are open. Basically you can't go to the platform till it's time to board.

Cookiemunster

You don't need to enter the station to get to the buses, so I'm not sure how that would work. Also there are only 2 (I think) doors out to the platform.

LimeFruitGum

I was in Limerick station in October, and the old bus shelters I used back in the 90s had barely improved. A lick of paint and a small red metal shelter per stop along the road taking you to the backyard.

A pity if the bus bays are getting manky again, but if the buses are chugging and passengers are smoking, then it sounds like management haven't thought this through or they're accepting this as a risk. If so, it is a classic "ah sure, it will do". It wouldn't take much to risk-assess the grounds for potential health, safety, and theft risks when you're undertaking a large project like that.

Cookiemunster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122083172#Comment_122083172

You were there in October and you failed to notice the hard to miss brand new station under construction? The brand new station that opened in January is what posters are discussing.

LimeFruitGum

LOL, no I didn't miss the new construction :) I was talking about the bus yard. The new concourse looked smartened up when I was there, and I hope more people use the station and don't trash it.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122084905#Comment_122084905

The bus yard with the red shelters is gone now. It's being converted into parking.

It being gone and replaced by a new station is essentially the whole point of this thread.

nigra

The bike parking is now in, at the side over by the old bus station. In fairness the overhang from the roof will keep the bikes out of the rain and the stands are the Sheffield type which are pretty robust. I was pleasantly surprised.

LeoD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122098650#Comment_122098650

Unfortunately those stands are too close to the wall, will only suit 'standard' bikes, look like they can be lifted out of the ground with a key, are still in a relatively hidden and non-secure location and make the benches inaccessible.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122106105#Comment_122106105

Ya I was thinking the same about the key thing. The seats are pretty redundant anyway but it still works looks stupid. I wouldn't say hidden though because that will become the busiest section of the car park.

It all kinda looks like they still really don't get it though. I'm gonna hazard a guess that whoever put them there and the station in general have never heard of "last km" commuting.

There are some lockers inside platform 4 that can be rented by long term subscription but the ideal solution is to have some Sheffield stands in there. People have been locking to the railings there for years because it has long ago been figured out as the safest place.

I'm not saying we need this many but I would be familiar with Marylebone and Paddington which both have bike spaces beyond the ticket check.

LeoD

They definitely don't get it. I came across this Arup report last week and it's a great read. Would be good if the powers that be in IR had a look at it. https://www.arup.com/-/media/arup/files/publications/a/active_train_stations.pdf

sleepyman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121974887#Comment_121974887

Just wondering are these finished?As another poster mentioned a general shop would be a good addition in the station.

Cookiemunster

The large retail unit on the right as you enter looks to be finished awaiting a tenant and fitout. The one on the left where the ticket office used to be is still under construction.

They've also installed a second set of automatic doors inside the lobby.

Paddico

Passed through at the weekend. Nice job but definitely need to change the old and very shabby perspexs in the main part of the station. A lot more light needed.

Guessing its not in the plan though but it would make a huge difference

Cookiemunster

I'm surprised at that. I'm sure it was part of the original plans along with reopening and glazing the arch above Starbucks

sleepyman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122412211#Comment_122412211

yeah agree.Also the new paving is already stained//grubby loooking. that needs to be cleaned regularly.