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.