Transport « Thurles Information

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.

National Walk To School Week – May 24th To May 28th.

National Walk to School Week begins today and Green Schools Ireland want to encourage pupils across the country to walk to school for some if not all of their journey.

This year’s Walk to School Week is made all the more significant given that last year, at this time, pupils could not walk because schools buildings were closed due to the pandemic.

The goal of National Walk to School Week is simple: encourage thousands of school staff, pupils and their families to get walking for one week and maybe they will walk to school more often.

Although the goal of walking to school may seem simple, the gains are many and complex, with walking having far reaching and positive environmental, health, social and financial benefits for us all.

To celebrate National Walk to School Week, Green Schools Ireland have organised a number of online talks exploring, among other topics, how walking impacts our mental and physical health, the challenge and rewards of hiking and mountaineering, as well as what it’s like to walk to the summit of Kilimanjaro and back.

All online events are free, but schools must register to access them (click HERE).

Modern Street Lamps Being Erected In A New Look Liberty Square, In Thurles.

“Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord“.

(Ref: Book of common prayer).

For those of you wondering why gaps were being left in the paving on our new, state of the art, granite style, footpaths, now taking shape on Liberty Square here in Thurles; today your silent curiosity may have been rewarded by a possible rejoinder.

The next phase of the Liberty Square rejuvenation project is underway and will see state of the art street lighting installed around our town centre.

Claremorris, Co. Mayo based firm ‘Electric Skyline Limited’ are responsible for this stage of the project. The public lighting specialists are installing dual lamplight heads that will provide lighting separately for both the footpath and the main through route.

The style of street lamps chosen [see image above] appear perhaps a shade modern when related to shop buildings, nevertheless they are sure to be admired by many, with the removal of unsightly ESB cables, that for years have relentlessly monopolized the Thurles Town centre skyline.

After months of continuous, yet necessary, plastic bollards and barriers, it is great to see some of the vision behind this major project, starting to materialise above ground level.

Road From Yellow Lough To Cabra Road, Thurles To Close Temporarily.

Temporary Traffic Management will come into place on the R659, on the stretch from the Yellow Lough, Thurles to Cabra Road, Thurles in Co. Tipperary.

The reason for the Traffic Management is to undertake very necessary road resurfacing, which is expected to commence between 8:00am on May 19th 2021 and continue until 7:00pm on May 25th 2021.

Signage has already been put in place, warning of Tipperary Co. Councils intentions and further diversions will be put in place when work commences.

Local access only will be permitted, until the resurfacing work is complete.