Next phase of O’Connell Street works to start early in New Year

This is the second phase of a project which commenced with a pedestrian priority zone at the heart of Sligo town

Thanks to the EU, the historic street has more space than ever, creating a more accessible and attractive town centre for pedestrians and local businesses alike.

The enhancements have transformed the street with newly widened pavements, landscaping and street furniture – the result is a beautiful town thoroughfare that retains all of its original charm.

Additionally, the enhancements help reduce town centre traffic congestion and offers accessible parking for disabled visitors.

The works also benefited the iconic businesses that O’Connell Street is renowned for, which now have allocated service bays and increased pedestrian footfall.

The project targets sustainable urban development as part of integrated plans to tackle economic, environment, climate, demographic and social challenges which affect the urban area of Sligo.

Now the contract has been signed for phase two of the project and work on this phase will start early next year.

David Minton, NWRA Director, was present at the official signing of the contracts event.

Funding for phase 2 of the project comes from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). The Northern and Western Regional Assembly are the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund in this region.

Phase 2 consists of approximately 180m of existing roadway and footpaths along O’Connell Street, Lower Knox Street, Hyde Bridge, Fish Quay and Wine Street in Sligo. It is envisaged that the new street scape provided in Phase 1 will continue from O’Connell Street in both an easterly and westerly direction to Wine Street and lower Knox Street respectively. Works will also extend along Fish Quay towards the entrance of the Glass House Hotel.

This approach will provide a seamless transition from one street to another, further adding to the pedestrian experience.

The works involve the construction of widened footpaths using granite paving and the narrowing and resurfacing of the existing roadways. The works incorporate the construction of a new surface water drainage network and connection to the existing network, the construction of new ducting infrastructure for utility services, and the provision of road markings, street furniture, and signage.

The Project will provide an upgraded junction at Wine Street/O’Connell Street/Lower Knox Street incorporating new controlled pedestrian crossings.