Funds injection for Bray project
A PUBLIC TRANSPORT bridge project in Bray has been assigned funding of €3,450,000.
Minister Simon Harris announced on Monday that the Governement funding has been secured and will deliver a public transport bridge across the River Dargle, linking Bray golf lands to Bray Town Centre. Designs and a time-frame have yet to be made public.
The funding comes as part of an allocation of more than €6,000,000 for project in Co. Wicklow, with other projects in Wicklow and Arklow.
A PUBLIC TRANSPORT bridge project in Bray has been assigned funding of €3,450,000.
Minister Simon Harris announced on Monday that the Governement funding has been secured and will deliver a public transport bridge across the River Gargle, linking Bray golf lands to Bray Town Centre.
The funding is being provided through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. ‘ This will be a significant improvement for the Bray com- munity and is one that I know that it will be very welcome,’ said Minister Harris.
He said that the regeneration initiative will be a driving force behind the rejuvenation of rural towns, ‘I want to complement Wicklow County Council who have worked hard on the application for this funding,’ said Minister Harris. ‘I was delighted to work with them to secure this funding.’
Designs and a time-frame have yet to be made public.
The Bray project is part of more than €6 million worth of works to be carried out around the county under the fund.
Of the €6,721,000 for County Wicklow, €1,645,000 is allocated to Arklow Historic Town Core and €1,626,000 to Wicklow Town
Minister Andrew Doyle said that this is a huge boost to Wicklow and will enable a greater proportion of residential and mixed use developments to be delivered. within the existing built-up footprints of towns. ‘ It will ensure that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest,’ said Minister Doyle.
‘I would like to commend the work of the local community groups in Bray, Arklow and Wicklow for their ongoing dedication and determination to improve their area, to enhance the local community and in making Bray, Wicklow and Arklow a more attractive place to live and work.’
COUNTY Wicklow will be transformed following an investment boost of €6.7m from the Urban Regeneration Development Fund.
Under the funding €1.645 million was allocated for Arklow Historic Town Core; €1.626 million was allocated for Wicklow town renewal and €3.45 million allocated for Bray Public Transport Bridge.
The money earmarked for Arklow will see works taking place at the parade ground and public realm and also at the courthouse and business hub.
At the parade ground there will be significant transformation of the streetscape and public realm at the historic core of Arklow which will stimulate new growth in the town. There will also be aesthetic enhancement of area including historic old castle wall, improvements to traffic flow in town centre and the promotion of Arklow’s rich history.
At the courthouse and business hub there will be the rationalisation of the existing courthouse building to include a digital hub space and the refurbishment of the building restoring it to its former glory.
In Wicklow town there are also two strands to the project - the Fitzwilliam Square upgrade and street improvement and the relocation of Wicklow library.
At Fitzwilliam Square the plan is to create a multi-functional space at the heart of Wicklow town and improve accessibility and pedestrian access while enhancing the presentation of Fitzwilliam Square.
The relocation of the library from its current position to the former Ulster Bank building on the Mall will see the bank building being refurbished with particular attention being paid to universal access. The new modern public library facility will function as a communication hub and will incorporate the Wicklow County Archive, Genealogical Services and Local Studies facility.
In Bray the money will be used for the provision of a new public transportation bridge over the River Dargle creating an essential link between development lands at the former Bray Golf Club and the DART station. This will lead to the unlocking of lands at the former Bray Golf Club and adjoining brownfield sites, facilitating both residential units and commercial development.
Cllr Pat Vance, Cathaoirleach, Wicklow County Council, said: ‘ This investment is a huge boost, not only for these three towns, but for the whole of County Wicklow. The effects will benefit many surrounding areas and improve access for anyone who may live in, visit or do business in Arklow, Bray or Wicklow.’
Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council, acknowledged the hard work done by everyone involved in compiling the comprehensive application forms for funding. ‘Bringing €6.7m of strategic investment into the county is a significant achievement. These projects will provide economic benefits to the towns, while also improving infrastructure for the communities living there, ensuring that County Wicklow moves into the future with confidence.’