Urgent call for more EV charging ports in Birr town

Local Fine Gael Cllr John Clendennen has called for further investment in electric charging points for domestic cars in the town as a matter of urgency arising from a discussion on the Draft Birr Area Plan at a special meeting of Offaly County Council last week.

While acknowledging that the council are “making great strides” in tackling climate change, he said there is no point in people investing electric cars if they cannot charge them. “We need a comprehensive policy around the provision of public EV charging points, especially if we are going to try to encourage more people to switch from petrol and diesel cars to hybrid or fully electric cars,” said Cllr Clendennen.

Referring to the special meeting, which considered a number of public submissions on a wide range of transportation issues such as walking, cycling and public transport in the town of Birr and in Crinkill, Cllr Clendennen said that while active travel is important, it is “only one part of a larger jigsaw” on the path towards a more environmentally-friendly and sustainable transport system.

During last week's discussions on the Draft Birr Area Plan, one of the issues raised under transportation was the relocation of the central bus stop for the town, in Emmet Square, to a more suitable location.

In their submission, the National Transport Authority (NTA) acknowledged the “constraints associated with the current bus stopping arrangements at Emmet Square, as it is currently configured” and said they would welcome the investigation of “alternative arrangements” which would cater both for the existing services and future new and reconfigured services to be provided under the Connecting Ireland and Local Link programmes.

The NTA said this would include an examination of an option to maintain the stop in a reconfigured Emmet Square, but added that any emerging options to relocate bus stops should be considered “in full consultation with the NTA” and should take into account a number of issues such as bus routing requirements and local traffic management; proximity to the town centre; distance between adjacent stops; provision for a fully accessible facility and potential for high-quality passenger facilities.

The NTA recommended in their submission that the council investigate options for the provision of a “high quality, fully accessible bus stop/interchange serving Birr Town Centre, including its potential relocation from Emmet Square” in consultation with the NTA.

In her report on the submissions received, Chief Executive, Anna Marie Delaney recommended that the recommendation of the NTA be taken on board in the Draft Area Plan for Birr, and this was accepted by members.