An Bord Pleanála delays decision on €20m Clonmel Suir Island bridges project

An Bord Pleanála has postponed its decision on the €20m Suir Island Infrastructure Links Project in Clonmel that includes the construction of two pedestrian/cycle bridges across the river in the town centre. 

The appeals board was due to reach a decision on the ambitious project on Thursday, May 2 but has decided the application from Tipperary County Council requires further consideration. 

The project proposes 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.

It's proposed 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.

The proposed developments are earmarked for The Quay, Quay Street, Suir Island and Raheen Road.

They will transform Clonmel’s Quay area and are part of the council’s overall plan to revitalise Suir Island into an amenity park.

The planning application was submitted to An Bord Pleanála on September 25 last year. 

According to the application, Tipperary County Council is seeking approval to construct a new public open space called the North Plaza that will be aligned with Sarsfield Street.

The council says the steps and ramp for the plaza will be visible from O’Connell Street and will be a new landmark for the town encouraging pedestrian movements towards the River Suir. The existing 33-space car park at Quay Street will be removed to accommodate the new plaza.

The first of the two pedestrian bridges will link the proposed North Plaza at the Quay/Quay Street/Sarsfield Street Junction to Suir Island. It’s proposed the second bridge will connect Suir Island to Raheen Road.

In order to facilitate the two bridges and plaza, the council is proposing to eliminate the two-way traffic system along Quay Street, allowing westbound movements only. This means traffic will only be allowed travel one-way in a westerly direction along Quay Street from Sarsfield Street towards Bridge Street.

Other proposed infrastructure in the application includes:

• A bus stop on the western side of the North Plaza on Quay Street with five benches for public transport users.
• A sloping landscaped terrace with public seating, located inside the hairpin-shaped access ramp leading up to the northern bridge crossing.
• Three benches and a 9-metre-long stepped promenade seating area integrated into the circular-shaped plaza.
• A pedestrian path or promenade along the existing berm embankment across Suir Island linking the two pedestrian bridges. This will facilitate access between Denis Burke Park on Raheen Road and the proposed North Plaza on The Quay.
• A pedestrian/bicycle ramp from the link promenade onto Suir Island Car Park.
• Three sets of steps connecting the link promenade to Suir Island Car Park and the eastern end of Suir Island.
• A mini public space within Suir Island Car Park at the entrance to the proposed Suir Island Gardens.
•  A south arrival point for the second bridge connecting Suir Island to Raheen Road. The south arrival point would consist of one access ramp to the east and one set of steps to the west, integrated with the bridge landing level and running parallel to the footpath.
• A new foul pumping station within Suir Island Car Park which will facilitate future Irish Water connections. Wastewater will be pumped approximately 0.1km via a rising main along the proposed bridge linking Suir Island to the proposed North Plaza where it will connect into the existing public network along The Quay.

An Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Assessment Report have been prepared for the project.