Call for bus stop at Poles

There have been calls for a new bus stop to be situated in or around the old post office area at Poles outside Cavan Town.

However, Independent Brendan Fay may need to wait for the outcome of a far-reaching study carried out by Bus Éireann in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, which examined all stopping points and potential park-and-ride facilities along the N3, including at Whitegate near Virginia.

The matter was raised for discussion at the January meeting of Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District, where Cllr Fay said he was made aware that locals were paying up to €30 on taxis to get to Cavan Town to get the bus to Dublin to attend hospital appointments.

In a cost of living crisis, he said it was an “additional financial burden” on already hard-pressed people.

Cllr Fay suggested that there was “space” available near the old post office at Poles, which could be utilised.

Cathaoirleach and Fianna Fáil’s Áine Smith suggested that the council should write to Local Link about extending a service to the area.

However, Senior Area Engineer Paul Mulligan pointed out that, while it’s one thing looking for a bus stop, “danger” arises when people may need to then cross a busy road to get there.

He said it was “better that people get safely to a bus stop” than worrying about where they are located.

Any decision would need to go to the council’s Road Design department and also Transport Infrastructure Ireland, he stressed.

“There have been fatalities at rural bus stops,” stated Mr Mulligan, before adding that location was along a 100kmph stretch of road and therefore “would need a lot of a consideration”.

Director of Services for the area, Brendan Jennings, questioned whether the location was within the remit of Cavan-Belturbet or Bailieborough-Cootehill. Regardless, he highlighted how a full assessment of bus stops and park and rides had been completed and the council is currently awaiting the outcome of that.