Cnoc (Inverin) and Casla Bus Shelters, Conamara

Description

With the support of local Councillors in the Conamara Municipal District, Galway County Council constructed two bus shelters at An Cnoc and Casla, in Conamara. The shelters and associated hardstanding area, improved pull-in kerbing, will facilitate the local community in waiting comfortably for the bus to arrive, during all weather conditions. Due to the prevailing rain and wind in Conamara coming from a western direction, the Council re-oriented the shelters to protect waiting persons.

Galway County Council worked with the local landowners to obtain land dedications and was pleased to have the required land dedicated to it.

The Council then proceeded to design and procure the bus shelters and hard standing areas. A tender competition took place and a contractor was appointed to carry out the works.

The importance of these locations:
Representations had been made to the Conamara Area Office (of Galway County Council) by the Rehab Group and Brothers of Charity for a bus shelter at the existing bus stop at Casla. There is a supported facility for adults at this location. Additionally, the bus stop is immediately adjacent to the post office – a critical form of service delivery for older persons, and the local Centra convenience store.

Local councillors also proposed a shelter at Cnoc Church, Inverin, again a location providing an important service for the local church-going community. Naughton Funeral Home is also adjacent to the church, so public transport to these services has now been significantly enhanced. The shelter also facilitates persons requiring the services of the Inverin Day Care Centre.

Aim of Initiative

The aim was to provide a covered waiting area for those availing of public transport at two important locations, for older persons, for those utilising the services at the Brothers of Charity, but also for the wider community.

The covered waiting area essentially upgrades the quality of the public transport experience for the users in the area. Unlike many other current projects, this project was not funded by the NTA, but rather through funding provided by the Minister for the DoHLGH specifically to Galway County Council to support our Municipal Districts. The Councillors in the MD wanted to support the local community including older persons by improving their experience at these stops, and allocated the funding accordingly.

Who is it aimed at

Supporting the local community, adults requiring supporting facilities, older persons using public transport, accessing the church, the post office, the funeral home, the local convenience store.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Support and direct input of community through local Elected Representatives
2. Funding support through local Elected Members contributions and funding from Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
3. Buy-in from local landowners who were willing and happy to dedicate the required lands.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Galway County Council completed this work through the Conamara Area Office team. This team must balance a heavy workload with many competing priorities. Allocating the time to deliver this project on the ground was challenging.
2. Projects of this nature can be expensive. Initial tender prices were higher than anticipated. Therefore, without compromising on the calibre of the service for the public, an exercise was completed to reduce the cost of the works. This was successful.
3. Galway County Council did not own the required land to facilitate the works so additional land/consent from landowners was required. We were pleased to have strong local buy-in to this project, so this challenge was readily overcome.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. The facilities now protect persons waiting at the bus stops from inclement weather, creating a comfortable, safe and attractive waiting area.
2. The project reaches out to rural areas and improves the service provision for those needing to access supported services, the post-office, the church, the funeral home, the convenience store, the day care centre – all vital community services
3. The facilities enhance public transport – a key measure in reducing our carbon emissions.