Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Gerard Mullaney, officially opened the O’Connell Street Enhancement Scheme in Sligo.
The project, which received a contribution of €1.25 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is the first step in the provision of the global public realm strategy for Sligo Town. As such the scheme is considered the flagship project on which the design ethos and rational for other projects shall be based.
Cathaoirleach Councillor Gerard Mullaney said, “the completion of the O’Connell Street Enhancement scheme is the beginning of an exciting new strategy, to enhance the public realm and which aims to transform the city core into a vibrant and sustainable urban space. The scheme will make the centre of Sligo city a safer environment for pedestrians which in turn means more support for local businesses.”
Situated in the town core, the O’Connell Street scheme is part of Sligo’s integrated strategy to revitalise, regenerate and improve the urban environment. It will deliver an attractive urban space with a much-enhanced physical appearance on the street, improved mobility and access and a defined traffic management. The completed project provides improved pedestrian access and mobility for all. It clearly defines the pedestrian priority areas and delineates the narrower carriageway, providing structure and integrity to the streetscape.
The project incorporated works on the following streets:
- O’Connell Street
- Southern end of O’Connell Street and junction with Grattan Street, Harmony Hill and John Street
- Northern end of O’Connell Street and junction with Lower Knox Street and Fish Quay
- Along Lower Knox Street to Hyde Bridge
- Lower Knox Street and its junction with Wine Street and Quay Street
The scheme has provided enhanced linkages to other pedestrian areas within the town by offering dedicated safe crossing points for pedestrians. This will serve to better connect areas such as Tobergal Lane, Wine Street carpark, John Street, Grattan Street, Lower Knox Street, Hyde Bridge and the flourishing Rockwood Parade.
The project was delivered by the Roads Department of Sligo County Council. The project was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) – Project Ireland 2040 and the Cranmore Regeneration Office acting as conduit for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. The Northern & Western Regional Assembly are the managing authority for the ERDF in the region.
Source: Sligo County Council
