Transport « Thurles Information

Thurles – This Week & Next Week At A Glance

Remembering that men make plans and God laughs.

Two more, very healthy, mature trees on the sunny side, east on Liberty Square, Thurles, alas, have been removed courtesy of an unforgiving chainsaw massacre.

“They took all the trees, and put em in a tree museum
And they charged the people a dollar and a half to see them
No, no, no
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone
They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot.”
Extract from song ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ (Lyrics by singer Joni Mitchell).

Same were 7 year old trees initially, when sown by myself and 4 others, all members of a Thurles Tidy Towns committee, back in 1988, giving them an age of just 40 years.

On the day we sowed them some 5 members of Thurles Chamber of Commerce, came along to protest, claiming that their window displays could no longer be observed by the general public.

These trees had been subjected to having gravel and resin replaced at their base late last year, which in turn left people with the hope they would be retained. More money, again wasted, but rate payers have very deep pockets for such dainty projects.

While promising to return trees to the now, new look, upgrading of Liberty Square, one wonders why no unpaved areas are being left to accommodate new replacement trees. Then again, maybe same are to be planted where the old street ESB standards are waiting to be removed. Who knows? As many will attest, there has been only a token public consultation with residents within the town; with local unqualified councillors calling the shots.

Temporary Road Closure on the R-660 Abbey Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Temporary Road Closure on the R-660 Abbey Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary are expected from 07:00am on next Monday July 12th 2021, to 7:00pm on Friday August 20th 2021.
This temporary unexpected closure, [the second this year] will be in place to facilitate road resurfacing and safety improvement works to the Abbey Road Roundabout, opposite Lidl Supermarket E41 N520. Traffic Management will be in place and major delays are to be expected.

Traffic Lights

Meanwhile, the newly erected perplex of traffic lights at the junction of Clongour Road and Slievenamon road, Thurles, will come into operation, (that is according to Tipperary County Council) on the morning of Tuesday July 13th next. (No local politician, armed with a scissors, has as yet volunteered to officially cut any ribbon). One wonders how long 12 wheeler trucks will delay traffic, as they wait to get around the junction leading south unto Clongour Road west, when forced to cross into oncoming lanes to avoid one traffic light column, latter erected unnecessarily too close to the corner on the Clongour Road section. (See left side of picture above).

Lidl Supermarket.
The new Lidl Supermarket retail outlet, (also pictured in the background above), at the junction of Clongour Road and Slievenamon road, Thurles will open on Thursday July 15th next. We wish them well in their future endeavours, as a new town centre for Thurles sadly materialises, reducing the former status of Liberty Square, all courtesy of Tipperary Co. Council’s parking charges, sanctioned by Thurles elected officialdom.

Man Dead Following Two Car Collision Near Thurles.

A male, understood to be aged in his 80s, has died following a two-car collision on the M8 in Co. Tipperary, late this afternoon.

The collision occurred shortly before 4:00pm on the M8 southbound between junction 6 Thurles and junction 7 Cashel North.

The deceased man was the sole occupant of the car and was pronounced dead at the scene. His body has since been brought to the mortuary at South Tipperary Hospital, where the local coroner has been notified.

The sole occupant of the second car, a woman believed to be in her late 30’s, was brought to Cork University Hospital, while her injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening.

Warning: Gardaí have stated that they are fully aware of video footage and images of the collision currently circulating online. They have therefore requested that out of respect for the family of the deceased man and those involved in the collision, that people should not publicly share this material.

Investigating Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to come forward with information, particularly road users who were travelling on the motorway at this time and who may have dash-camera footage.

Anyone with such information is asked to contact Thurles Garda Station Tel: 0504-25100 or the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111.

Anti-Social Behaviour Halts Train In Thurles.

Gardai were requested to attend at an incident in Thurles Railway Station yesterday evening.

A train coming from Cork, bound for Dublin, was forced to halt when anti-social behaviour broke out on board.

We understand that the 16:30 train from Cork to Heuston, carrying passengers who had embarked at Cork, was forced to halt at Thurles, when disruptive behaviour caused a technical issue on board.

The passengers were eventually accommodated on alternative services, causing minor delays to other services passing through the Thurles station, as a result of this 16.30 public transport failure.

From May 2020 to the end of April 2021, there have been 37 incidents of antisocial behaviour on Cork rail services or at Cork stations, with incidents ranging from non-compliance with Covid regulations, vandalism, possession of drugs or alcohol, theft and loitering.

We understand further Garda enquiries are now being processed.

Previously Discounted VAT On Non-EU Products To End

There are new tax changes on the way that will make it more expensive to buy goods online, when purchased from outside the European Union.

The Revenue Commissioners have warned that an exemption that previously discounted VAT on non-EU products under €22; will come to an end soon, possibly from July 1st, despite the purchase transaction having occurred before the aforementioned date.

Introduced by the European Commission, this new rule will be applicable in all EU member states to ensure that no products being imported from non-EU countries are given preferential VAT treatment compared with products that are bought from within the European Union.

This means that products that are being purchased online from countries outside the European Union, including Britain, will now be eligible for the same VAT rates regardless of their varied value.

Currently, if the cost of the goods you buy online, including transport, insurance and handling charges, is less than €22, then you do not have to pay VAT.

From July 1st next, people should be aware that these new tax changes could mean you will be liable for extra charges when any purchased products arrives in this country, prior to its delivery.
If you shop online in the future, you need to check carefully whether the advertised price of any goods also include all Irish tax and duty costs due; before a decision to purchase that particular item on your wish list, is contemplated.

“Big Lift” Promises Big Improvements To Thurles Rail Passenger Mobility Issues.

Big Lift Upgrade To Thurles Railway Station.

Some 22 railway stations nationally will see Lifts or Elevators facilities either renewed or upgraded in 2021, as part of an estimated €5.8 million investment plan by Iarnród Éireann.

The Irish rail travel provider are making big changes by replacing and upgrading their elevators for people with mobility issues.
Twenty-two stations across the network will have their lifts upgraded by the end of this year.
This follows upgrades to twelve other stations previously in 2020.
Some 52 stations across the rail network are set to receive similar investment by 2024.

Upgrading of accessibility at Thurles Railway Station is expected to begin on June 7th next and is expected to be completed by July 23rd 2021.
Commuters departing or arriving at Thurles Station and who have mobility issues are advised to contact Thurles Railway Station [Phone: (0504) 21733 or (01) 836 6222. Calling from outside the Republic of Ireland +353 (1) 836 6222] in advance of their journey, so that they can be fully facilitated during the period of this necessary Thurles upgrade.

In order to achieve improvements, there may be some disruptions which will however provide in the longer term, extra reliable station access for commuters going forward.

Work, which began on April 19th last, at Templemore Railway Station Co. Tipperary, is due to be completed on Friday June 4th next, with work then commencing at Thurles.