Advertisements for consultants for the progression of the Kingston Master Plan will be placed in the coming weeks, it was confirmed this week.
At a recent meeting of the Corporate Policy Group of Galway City Council, Galway City West and Knocknacarra Councillor Donal Lyons sought an update from Galway City Council Parks & Recreation officials on progressing the Kingston and South Park Master Plans.
He was informed by the Chief Executive Mr. Brendan McGrath that there will be an advertisement seeking the appointment of Consultants for Kingston Master Plan in the coming weeks, which will see consultants being appointed and bring the project to a Part 8 Planning Application.
“This commitment by the Chief Executive is very welcome,” said Cllr Lyons.
“This project hasn’t moved in the last three years. In April 2018 a public information day was held where the views of the local residents, parents together with local sporting clubs were asked for the views on developing the Master Plan for lands adjacent to St. John the Apostle National School.
“Later in 2018 the Kingston Master Plan was adopted by the members of Galway City Council and there was great optimism that the plan would progress. However, despite continued representations over the years from all west ward councillors, no progress was made.
He said he is pleased that there is an opportunity now to progress the Kingston Master Plan as it is hoped to have a planning application by autumn 2023.
“I understand that efforts are also being made by Galway City Council officials to purchase additional land not in the ownership of Galway City Council so that the original plan can be completed,” he said.
A commitment has also been given that consultants will be appointed early in 2023 to progress the South Park Master Plan.
New An Post ‘pick up’ service for Galway customers
An Post has announced the launch of its new ‘Pick Up’ service for Galway customers. The new service will enable customers who miss a delivery to pick their item up at their nearest Post Office.
Previously, Galway customers who missed a parcel or package had to travel to the city’s Delivery Service Unit (DSU ) in North Business Park on the Tuam Road. The area is not currently serviced by public transport, and at times can be heavily congested by traffic. An Post identified 12 post offices in the greater city area, including the city GPO at Eglinton Street, where a missed delivery can now be picked up.
The relevant post offices are Barna, Bohermore, ClareGalway, Clarinbridge, Eglinton Street, Fr. Griffin Road, Mervue, Newscastle, Oranmore, Renmore, Salthill and Seamus Quirke Road.
The new service will be a major benefit to Galway customers removing the potential hassle of a journey to the city DSU as well as providing more delivery options. The service will be particularly useful to An Post’s growing numbers of online shopper customers. The move also advances An Post’s Sustainability programme in cutting down on handling and road journeys.
In recent times a missed delivery, where a customer had not nominated an alternative delivery option, could result in a headache for customers involving a journey out to An Post’s Tuam Road facility. Now, Postal Operatives can leave a DIB (Docket in Box ) slip for the customer, directing them to their local Post Office to collect their item.
The new service has been praised by Minister of ttate at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton. The Galway based Minister with responsibility for postal services said “This is a very welcome development for Galway and demonstrates once again the importance of a high value and high-quality Post-Office network to people across the county, as well as the central and trusted role of postmasters in our communities.
"I am sure this news will be greeted with open arms by those receiving important mail and parcels through An Post as we now eliminate an unnecessary journey across our bustling city of Galway for families and businesses.”
Barna Postmistress?Seona O’Fegan gave the new Pick Up service the thumbs up saying it is a very welcome service.
"Previously if a customer in the Barna area missed a delivery, they would have to travel across Galway city which if they're lucky, would take up to an hour and half.?As well as being more convenient, the Pick Up service is also bringing more people into post offices.
"We're getting the opportunity to meet new people and they're learning about the other services we offer," she said.
Customer feedback has also been very positive, with customers praising the convenience of being able to pick up locally from their Post Office, instead of travelling to the DSU.
