The people of a Co Carlow town have taken the initiative to ensure the economic boom does not continue to pass them by. Tullow has produced a development plan to alleviate traffic congestion, rejuvenate its town centre and free tracts of agricultural land for residential and commercial development.
Details of the plan were unveiled yesterday and have already been the subject of discussions between local people and the planning officials of Carlow County Council.
Mr Michael Cleary, chairman of the Develop Tullow Association, which is behind the initiative, claims the town is the first in the State to produce a comprehensive development plan charting its future.
The association, a coalition of business and community interests, began working on the plan in January last year. A consultancy firm, Aidan O'Connell and Associates, was hired to produce the final document.
A key element of the plan is the creation of an inner relief road for the town, which would begin at the Bunclody road entrance, join the Carlow and Castledermot roads, cross the Slaney and link with the Dublin and Shillelagh roads. A county council proposal for such a road has been in existence since before the association was founded more than 20 years ago.
The development plan includes an innovative proposal to make the idea achievable. Instead of paying the normal water and sewerage service charges to the council, it is suggested that the developer of rezoned agricultural land would pay for the road.
The rezoning would create much-needed population growth in the area, as well as commercial and industrial development, the plan predicts. Mr Cleary said the idea had received a positive response from local landowners.
He pointed out, however, that there were no landowners on the association's development sub-committee. "There is no question of anybody putting this forward for personal gain. We are talking about an overall plan for the town which would improve the amenities for everyone, as well as bringing commercial benefits."
Council officials, he said, had reacted positively to the proposals.
Other developments are also on the horizon for Tullow, which has a population of over 2,500. The council plans to provide a one-stop shop there with a full range of services for people in north Carlow, while a number of sites are to be revitalised.