Mattie McGrath urges ring road to save Tipperary Town
Mattie McGrath urged the Tánaiste to intervene over proposed works that would close Tipperary Town's main street for up to two years. He called for a proper ring road and greater engagement between the County Council, the local task force chaired by Alison Harleby, businesses and ministers.
Main concern
McGrath warned that the County Council proposal to carry out another two years of work on the main street would effectively close the town and damage local trade. He said the closure is not acceptable to business owners and residents and asked for alternative solutions.
Proposed solution - a ring road
He argued that what is needed is a ring road - a proper ring road around Tipperary Town - to alleviate traffic and avoid prolonged disruption to the main street. He urged immediate consideration of that option instead of extended closures.
Local task force and supports
McGrath noted a task force chaired by Alison Harleby is already working on recovery, alongside initiatives such as jobs for TIP, match for TIP and collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce. He welcomed the funding but stressed the need for wider engagement with local stakeholders.
Part 8 process and local submissions
The Part 8 process was said to be closing this weekend, with hundreds of submissions received from business people and residents. McGrath warned that the community would not accept another 18 months to two years of closure without being brought into the planning process.
Requests to the Tánaiste and ministers
He asked the Tánaiste to speak with the relevant ministers and to collaborate with the County Council and local groups to find a way forward. The Tánaiste acknowledged the town needs reinvigoration and said she would raise the issue with the appropriate ministers to try to bring it to a conclusion.
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Tanaiste, I raised with you several times and the year before about Tipperary Town and a task force, and thankfully you did set up a task force, chaired by Alison Harleby now. The task force is doing its best, with jobs for TIP, match for TIP and indeed the collaboration of the Chamber of Commerce. But the County Council are proposing now to do another two years' work on the main street, which will effectively close down the town for two further years. We welcome the funding, but there needs to be engagement. The Part 8 process closes this weekend, and there have been hundreds of submissions from the business people and ordinary people living there. What we need is a ring road, a proper ring road around Tipperary Town, that will alleviate and get to talk to the other town. I'm asking you to talk to Minister O'Brien and Minister Eamon and I as well, to collaborate with all those groups and the County Council to see if we can work together. They're not currently currently Caelan, it's important that we work together, bring the people with us, because they're not going to accept this closure of the town again for further 18 months or two years. They can do it. Thank you, Deputy. Thank you very much, Deputy. I know that Tipperary Town needs help. It's a town that needs to be re-invigorated and revitalised. You've raised me many times, so has Deputy Lowry, Deputy Cahill, Senator O'Hearn as well. Going back to my time in transport, there was funding for a one-way system to the town which didn't get approval. Now there's talk of a ring road. What we have done is set up the task force and I'm glad to hear that that is doing good work. I'll certainly mention it to Minister Ryan and Minister O'Brien so that we can bring it to a conclusion. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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