BJD hub work to begin later this year

The town of Ballyjamesduff is preparing for the renovation of the Percy French Hotel project.

The former hotel at the heart of the town is set to become a community, enterprise and tourism hub.

“That’s a massive thing at the moment,” said Cllr Trevor Smith.

A public consultation took place recently to determine what the people of the town wanted, with a “massive turnout” of people who suggested ideas for the landmark building.

“There was good community engagement,” Cllr Smith said.

Work is expected to begin later this year, and is anticipated that it will take two years to complete. The new hub will provide spaces for community groups and remote working, however plans have yet to be finalised.

“The council are in the final draft of plans,” he explained.

“It will be somewhere for these groups to have a base and it will increase business within the town because it will bring more people into the town.”

“It is a massive project and we’re looking forward to work commencing later on this year.”

Bus service

Cllr Smith said that transport is a “huge issue” in Ballyjamesduff.

An update shared last week revealed that a new 186 Local Link bus service is due to serve the area before the end of this year. The service will cover Cavan - Ballyjamesduff - Virginia - Mullagh - Kells and Gibbstown.

Cllr Smith was delighted with the update, and said the lack of public services in the town is “going on too long”.

“I’m delighted to see there is movement on it, it has been going on too long waiting for the service.

“It was really affecting a lot of our younger people with college and going to work in Cavan.”

He said the issue was also impacting those of all ages who don’t own cars.

Infrastructure

The upgrading of the wastewater treatment plant is also expected to “future-proof” the area.

“It’s ongoing, there’s a €25 million investment in that,” he said, adding that it began around three months ago with a two year timeline. “It will allow the town to grow because at the moment it can’t expand.”

Meanwhile roadwork improvements are expected to start in the centre of Ballyjamesduff this August.

“We’re going to get roadwork improvements in the centre of the town, there’s going to be new surfaces put on Main Street, Granard Street and Church Street.

“It has its busy times with passing traffic,” he observes. “Ballyjamesduff, it is a busy town.”