Finally, Colbert Station gets a redevelopment

Amazotheamazing

Major revamp planned at Colbert Station for Bus Eireann

LIMERICK’S Colbert Station is on for a major revamp-should the Limerick City Council Planning authority give the green light to a planning application lodged by Bus Eireann.

Permission is being sought for development at Colbert Station, Parnell Street, which is a protected structure.

The development will consist of demolition of existing single storey ancillary structures, removal of redundant trail tracks and public car parking to the north of the site, removal of public car parking to the west of the site, removal of bus stands, parking and staff parking to the south of the site and the provision of a new two storey bus station, comprising ticket offices, waiting areas, staff accommodation and public toilets, a direct step free link to the rail station concourse;covered access to 16 no. bus stands, staff parking and new bus entrance at Roxborough Road, all to the north site, a reconfigured and landscaped forecourt with revised vehicular access/egress, four no bus stops/shelters to the west of the site and 329 no public car parking spaces to the south of the site, together with ancillary site works.

A spokesman for Bus Eireann told the Limerick Post that the new plans were designed to facilitate customers and to improve standards.

Bus Eireann provide an excellent service from Limerick to all parts of the country and in recent years has increased its customer base significantly.

Their present facilities are somewhat dated.

Meanwhile, German retail chain Lidl have designs on a second store in Limerick.

They have made application to the planning authority for the development of a site at Clondrinagh, Ennis Road, just a few paces from Elm Motors.

The site was purchased last year by prominent local developer Robert Butler, who has also bought a slice of land on the other side of the Ennis Road. The development will consist of the demolition of existing garage and canopy and the construction of a discount foodstore incorporating an off licence (c. 1661 sq m gross floor area and 1,286 sq m net sales area), comprising of a single storey pitched roof structure and enclosed dock leveller, removable compactor, new boundary treatments and associated site development works, including new entrance, all site services, including an Envirocare P6 Treatment system, L.P.G. tank and fenced compound, the provision of 152 no car parking spaces, one no. free standing double sided internally illuminated flagpole signs, two no building mounted internally illuminated signs, at Clondrinagh.

Lidl already operate from a unit on Childer’s Road. Meanwhile, Marks and Spencer confirmed this week that they are actively pursuing a site in Limerick.

Amazotheamazing

I think everyone will welcome this long overdue development, Colbert station has been making a terrible impression tourists to this city for years, which is a real shame becuase done right Colbert could be a really nice building and even an addition to the city.

limerick_man

But its the bus station, the train station will remain the same!!

Amazotheamazing

I dunno, it sounds like it's all getting changed around, as much as the listed status will allow. Hopefully the plaza outfront will make full use of the front aspect of the building.

billy the squid

It s all for nothing unless they can acomodate city busses at the railway station.

Amazotheamazing

I'm loving the positivity.

um7y1h83ge06nx

Good news.

The way it is, it gives a poor impression of Limerick to visitors.

Btw, did ye see Gay Byrne's column on the Sunday Independent last weekend? He praised Limerick very highly. Thought there was lots of great urban redevelopment going on in the city, especially around the docks.

scrattletrap

About time, this was long over due, so when does the building actually start?

bazz26

billy the squid wrote:

It s all for nothing unless they can acomodate city busses at the railway station.

Well most of the rail freight from there is almost gone. No more rail freight to the Cement factory or Guinness. Foynes rail freight has dropped considerably.

My uncle is an inspector for the freight department of Irish Rail at Colbert Station and told me most of the freight place there is going to be no more.

ellenmelon

i think we all agree its about time!
bloody planning reg's though might make it take a while.

Karmafaerie

Great news.
As long as the station building is protected, this can be nothing but good.

Poxyshamrock

YES!!!! a makeover is certainly in need! everything should be changed! new floors, seats, bathrooms (there being done up at the moment actually, us lads are being forced to piss outside in a prefab. typical limerick!) new shops and they certainly need to clean up the platform areas!

Poxyshamrock

On the radio yesterday, they were saying that the plans were officially launched. Has anyone got any more info eg. pictures?

limerick_man

Picture in todays Weekender, it is only the bus station, which at present is almost non existant! They are building a new 2 story building, shop, toilets, travel centre the works!

Billy, why do u think it is pointless unless city buses can stop there??

gaf1983

limerick_man wrote:

Billy, why do u think it is pointless unless city buses can stop there??

It's important because two of the main groups of people that use the station are either people who don't drive, or else strangers to the city, so it's a good idea to accomodate them by having space for the city buses in the station.

cornbb

Sure its only 5 mins walk to O'Connell st. and William st. anyway.. and what city bus routes go near the bus station?

Poxyshamrock

in the weekender does it show what it looks like now or what it will look like? where can u get the weekender?

1huge1

can anyone like upload these pics from this weekender because ive never even heard of the paper

thanks

Limerick Dude

Yeah id like to see some pics too please.

limerick_man

The weekender is distributed free into houses in the greater Limerick City area, starting about 2 and a half months ago.

The Raheen (via Bus Station) bus stops outside the bus station, I'm sure other routes do too.

Poxyshamrock

well ive heard of it but never got one in my door!