Works begin to transform streetscape in Boyle town centre

Work has commenced on the upgrading of the streetscape in Boyle town centre.

The work will involve a transformation and upgrade of Bridge Street and Shop Street along with the former Royal Car Park off Shop Street.

Footpaths will be widened, cabling laid underground including ducting for fibre broadband, new decorative street lighting installed, high quality paving with granite kerbs (supplied locally by Feelystone) will also be laid and the carriageway will be resurfaced.

Car parking will be restricted on each side of the bridge to assist the extension of the footpaths and provide better visibility in that area. The existing former Royal Hotel car park will be totally remodelled and laid out to provide 78 car parking spaces including a number for disabled access, resulting in an increase in car parking spaces overall. Ducting will also be provided for additional car charging points in the car park.

The current pedestrian crossings at Bridge Street and Shop Street will be widened and upgraded to improve functionality by extending build outs to improve visibility with upgraded flashing beacons installed at each crossing.

Contractor availability and procurement has been the main factors in arriving at a commencement date with work taking place in sections to minimise disruption to the public, commencing this week on Shop Street with a break for the Christmas period.

Traffic management restrictions will be in operation for the duration of the works with an anticipated completion date (weather dependent) of early summer 2024.

Chairman Of Boyle Town Team Ciaran Sheerin said the Team welcomed the commencement of the public realm works. “These works, which are several years in the making, aim to create a pedestrian friendly town centre with attractive low maintenance paving and decorative lighting.

“The public realm works increase the uniform appearance of our streetscape from King House through Bridge Street to Shop Street and will be a good linkage with the works already completed this year at An Rioga (former Royal Hotel premises).

“The widening of the pedestrian paths is in line with efforts in similar size towns and the purpose is to improve safety of public crossing points, provide opportunities for streetscape appearance addon’s (planting, seating etc.) and increase town centre footfall to the benefit of residents and businesses alike.

“These works directly impact the focus areas outlined in Boyle 2040 and also bring much needed renewal to adjacent areas.

“The Town Team have been working for some time with Roscommon County Council on this project and appreciate the consultation the council has had with stakeholders including Active Age and Boyle Town Team.

“Roscommon County Council has confirmed to us their commitment to plan activities in a fashion that minimise impact to town centre trade over the Christmas period and increase overall town centre car parking capacity which we are delighted with.

“There is also a commitment to closely consult with businesses and property owners over the duration of this significant development which we believe is vitally important and will make our town centre much more visually attractive once completed,” said Mr Sheerin.