Writes Leo McMahon
Bus stops on both sides of the busy R612 Crosshaven road near Carrigaline GAA club were requested by Cllr Seamus McGrath (FF) at the recent meeting of the county council’s Carrigaline Municipal District (MD).
He asked that the area engineer Madeleine Healy liaise with Bus Eireann and the National Transport Authority (NTA).
‘There’s a huge membership of all ages in the club making their way to and from the clubhouse and having it accessible for public transport would make a big difference,’ said Cllr McGrath, adding that there was already a controlled pedestrian crossing in place.
Seconding, Cathaoirleach Cllr Audrey Buckley (FF) said she regularly saw lots of children going to and from what was an amazing facility.
Cllr Una McCarthy (FG) spoke in support. ‘As a parent with children in Carrigaline GAA Club and also a coach of two teams I see the need for bus stops outside the club.’.
The engineer replied that the request had been referred to the council’s Sustainable Travel Unit (STU) for consideration.
Asked by Cllr McGrath how one got a bus stop, Ms Healy said Bus Eireann who would apply for a bus stop and for her part, believed that it should be possible for its outbound 220/220X service because there was footpath all the way to the crossing. Providing an inbound bus stop was more difficult because there wasn’t a place to get on and off. However, the procedure currently rested with a team in the STU who liaised with the NTA for funding stops and shelters and the team was prepared to come out and have a look.
Welcoming the response, Cllr McGrath said he understood that the GAA club could be willing to work with the council at their boundary regarding space for an inbound bus stop.
In reply to Cllr Marcia D’Alton (Ind), the engineer said she would also bring to the attention of the STU, her request for a bus stop near Pfizer’s, between Shanbally and Ringaskiddy. There have also been requests by councillors for a bus stop opposite Maurland, Kilmoney Road Lower, Carrigaline and other locations.
Meeting sought
Waiting for a bus in Carrigaline can be lengthy at times and problems have been experienced with the Bus Eireann App as highlighted at previous meetings of the MD. In that regard, as well as several requests for poles, removal of broken poles and new bus stops as well as a meeting, members of Carrigaline MD seem to waiting in vain to get a response from Bus Eireann.
MD officer Denise Kidney reported that no response had been received to two letters since the previous meeting on issues raised. Cllr McGrath proposed the MD go direct to the NTA and Cllr White seconded saying confidence in the bus service had been undermined.
