Loss of shuttle bus on Waterford’s new bridge would be ‘a huge mistake’

The loss of a planned shuttle bus on Waterford city’s sustainable transport bridge would be a “huge mistake”, a local councillor has claimed.

Independent councillor Joe Kelly spoke on the topic during the December plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.

Cllr Kelly emphasised the importance of having the shuttle bus, especially given the “traffic bedlam that goes on in the city”.

He stated: “The first part of the question is the famous electric bus that was supposed to be on and then was not on the so-called sustainable transport bridge.

“I’m wondering if Mr Quinn has any update from the NTA (National Transport Authority), because there was an approach to go back to them and reconsider their position.

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“It would be vital to bring people across from the city to the new station and vice versa, without having to walk in horrendous conditions across the bridge like that.”

Cllr Kelly expressed his frustration at the NTA’s decision to drop the bus from its plans for the bridge.

“I just still think that taking that bus off was a huge mistake. It was one of the selling points of the whole thing when it [the bridge] was drawn up and it’s just so short-sighted it’s beyond words really,” he concluded.

In response to Cllr Kelly, Director of Services Michael Quinn said he has not heard back from the NTA.

He stated: “In relation to the shuttle bus, I still have not received a report from the NTA. I have had a discussion with them about it, but I haven’t received the final report.

“At this stage, I thought we would have it but as soon as it is available, we will share it.”

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin councillor Jim Griffin asked if councillors could be provided with an update on the overall progress of the North Quays project.

Cllr Griffin said: “We’re so far into the North Quays now and it’s such a massive project.

“Could we maybe for the New Year get some kind of an update on where we’re going with regards the North Quays?

“Things that are going really well, things that might be falling behind and where we are with regards expenses as well.”

He continued by saying that whilst there has been a lot of progress, it is clear that the project will go on for several more years.

“I know from myself I’m over and back there everyday of the week and I’m seeing a lot of progress.

“The challenges are massive but we seem to be on track there. It’s going to drag on another substantial amount of years so if you wouldn’t mind giving us an update.

“We’re kind of deep enough there now that we’d probably be able to get a real in-depth update on where we are and where we see expenses coming into the future and like I said, the small things that are going against the job and things that are going exceptionally well.”

In response to Cllr Griffin, Mr Quinn suggested pushing back the update until the second quarter of 2026.

He said this would allow Harcourt Developments to progress their plans for the site, at which point an update could be done.