Sinn Féin Councillor Conor D. McGuinness and the party’s candidate in the Lismore LEA Donnchadh Mulcahy have welcomed confirmation that Waterford will have a budget of €500,000 for the provision of bus shelters and associated infrastructure across the county. They called on Council management to get moving on delivering shelters and seating at shelters at locations across West Waterford.
As leader of the Sinn Féin group on Waterford City and County Council McGuinness had been lobbying the NTA for funding for bus stop enhancements over the past 18 months.
McGuinness siad:
“This announcement from the NTA is very welcome and my wish is to see it spent wisely and quickly.
“I have been seeking funding of this type for quite a while now and I’m hopeful that we can see progress on the ground over the coming months.
“I again raised the issue of bus stops at the most recent meeting of Waterford City and County Council to ask that council management would be shovel ready to use this funding as soon as it is drawn down from the NTA.
“Many people have been in touch with me seeing upgrades to bus stops, primarily for the Local Link routes that serve rural Co. Waterford. As well as seeking new stops, service users are seeking shelters and seating. This simple infrastructure is the norm in many parts of the country but very much an exception in Co. Waterford. I have already proposed a number of locations such as An Sean Phobal, Ballinroad and An Rinn.”
Donnchadh Mulcahy said:
“There is a clear need for a bus shelter in Cappoquin town to serve the people of the town and indeed the many people that travel here from other towns to access services, including GP services.
“I am keen to see shelters and seating installed in Cappoquin and at other locations in the Lismore LEA. I have written to the NTA, Local Link, Bus Éireann and the Council to ask that this be prioritised, and there is a live public petition for people to add their voices to this call.
“I have been working with Conor to get movement on this issue and my hope is that there will be no further delays now funding has been secured.”
“Anyone who wishes to add their name to the petition can get in touch with me on 086 399 1153 or sign online at www.change.org/p/bus-shelter-for-cappoquin-west-waterford”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 