A lack of a bus shelter is 'unacceptable', says Cllr

COUNCILLOR Audrey Hennessy Kennedy told a recent Council meeting that a Bus Shelter should be constructed in Emmet Square, in Birr.
“People of all ages use the Local Link buses stopping there,” she told the September monthly meeting of Birr Municipal District, “and I think it's really unacceptable that elderly people are expected to wait for their buses while exposed to all weathers."
She added that she would also like the Bus Shelter's design to be in keeping with Birr's Heritage Town status.
The lack of bus shelters in Offaly is a significant problem which Councillors have raised in several meetings over the last few years. In 2023 Cllr John Clendennen raised the issue during the January and April meetings of the County Council.
Cllr Clendennen has pointed out that Offaly's bus service is sorely lacking because there are no proper stops or shelters."The situation is really unacceptable and chaotic," he told one meeting. "Throughout the whole county there isn't a safe and suitable bus stop network."It's really important that we remedy this and create a proper network." The councillor wants permanent stops erected in every town and village, complete with live and relevant timetables with QR codes.He wants to see shelters constructed at these stops as well, to protect people from the elements.