Delay in regeneration of Carlow town centre due to increased costs
The proposed development of Carlow's Potato Market under the URDF plan
‘URDF fatigue’ was the overwhelming emotion at a recent Carlow Municipal District meeting when director of services for the county council Padraig O’Gorman noted that there had been another delay in beginning the regeneration of Carlow town centre.
Cllr John Cassin was despondent after Mr O’Gorman outlined to members that an uplift in construction costs over the last two years had triggered the need for a revised quantity surveyor’s report and revised business case.
“I have URDF [Urban Regeneration and Development Fund] fatigue at this stage; it seems to be never ending,” said cllr Cassin.
Cllr Ken Murnane was equally frustrated: “Back in 2024, we were told there might be shovels in the ground in 2025 … now you’re saying 2027. We know there have been changes, but it’s still what we’ve been told before. When it comes, it’s going to be great, but I’ve just listened to this for a while now.”
Mr O’Gorman said the reports would be submitted to the housing department next week and if they get approval could go to tender in three months, appoint a contractor by the end of the year, then start in the first quarter of next year.
Cllr Andrea Dalton noted: “There’s no cheaper time to do a project than now. It just seems like a really crazy way of doing business. We’ll end up with the same product but costing 50% more.”
“There does seem to be an inherent dysfunctionality worked into the URDF project,” agreed cllr Adrienne Wallace.
Several councillors enquired about the recently-opened Barrack Street link and whether there are plans to improve a ‘dark pocket’ in it. Mr O’Gorman explained that the lane is a basic “interim measure” and while construction goes on next to Carpenter’s bar, it is increasing footfall into Carlow Shopping Centre.
“We’re just, I suppose, being good neighbours,” he said.
Trying to strike a more positive note, cllr Fintan Phelan commended the council for all the work it has done so far to improve the town. “Leaving this meeting, you’d be terrible pessimistic,” he said.
Others rushed to agree with him, with cllr Dalton noting that her “criticism is not of the council but of the processes you have to go through to get work done”.
“It is an onerous programme,” agreed Mr O’Gorman. He said the changing costs only pushed the timeframe back a few months and that, once builders are on site, it will be a two-and-a-half-year build.
Paula O’Brien, director of services for planning, said the College Street compulsory purchase orders are still ongoing and the council had received objections on five of the 15 sites, which are being considered by An Comisiún Pleanála at the moment.
She explained that the council is hoping for “the old town quarter” to be a mixed-use development, with commercial, cultural, hospitality and residential components to “create a nice, vibrant site.”
Additionally, the railway link between the station and Carlow College has been “progressing very well”, Mr O’Gormon said, with an expected completion date in October. “The finish is going to be fabulous,” he said, and councillors can expect an official opening by the end of the year.
“It will make a great difference to access into the town,” he said.
