Decision on planning for new €20 million river bridge in Tipperary is imminent

A decision on the planning permission being sought for Suir Island Bridge in Clonmel is due from An Bord Pleanála this Thursday.

The development plans to create two pedestrian/cycle bridges across the river, linking a plaza on the Quays to Suir Island, and connecting Suir Island to Raheen Road.

The bridges will be four metres wide, consisting of a double curvature alignment, and allowing users to discover Suir Island “from up high” by walking seamlessly between the trees along one sinuous route.

Details of the project, which has a total envisaged cost of €20 million, were relayed to the monthly meeting of Clonmel Borough District by District Administrator Carol Creighton in the course of her report of the work carried out in the Clonmel district in the last five years, as well as other projects that are in the pipeline.

€1.8 million is the total envisaged cost of another nearby development, Suir Island Gardens, construction of which is expected to begin this month.

Co-funded by Sláintecare and Tipperary County Council, this is the development of a community amenity and recreation resource to include public garden and landscaped areas, along with walkways, seating, parkland and a children’s play area in “the green lungs of Clonmel” surrounded by the river, the kayaking course, the Blueway walking, cycling and kayaking trail and the Comeragh Mountains.

Elsewhere, a feasibility study is currently being carried out to assess the project viability of the development of a visitors’ centre at the former Bulmers drinks production site at Dowd’s Lane.

The District Administrator said this would create a flagship attraction capable of attracting 100,000 visitors to firmly position Clonmel on the visitor travel itinerary through the county and in the broader region, as stated in the Clonmel Flights of Discovery report.

Carol Creighton said it would also re-purpose an underutilised town centre space to deliver transformative place-making, which will support enterprise and economic development.

The District Administrator said that additional projects seeking to add value in the Clonmel district include greenway projects, at a cost of €1,515,765; a town and village renewal project in Marlfield, costing €222,770; ORIS (Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme) projects including the canoe trail, Blueway, Suir Island House and Millrace, costing €992,644; an outdoor performance space at Abbey Street (€475,565); and outdoor dining and furniture supports across the district to the tune of €223,327.

Carol Creighton said that additional activities include the town’s CCTV scheme, funding for which has been set aside, with the council working with the Gardaí to bring the project to fruition; the securing of funding to upgrade, re–light, paint and enhance lanes in the town; a €1 million investment in the town bus service; and actively targeting derelict and vacant sites in Clonmel.