People Before Profit will be contacting Council officials to confirm that a new entrance to Waterford’s Eco Park will be constructed on the Kilbarry/Ballybeg side of the Park. It’s understood that work is going on to construct a car park for about thirty cars, and a new entrance at Ballybeg.
Úna Dunphy of PBP has been calling for an access point to be opened at this location for a number of months, and renewed the call again with the arrival of the Covid19 pandemic.
An entrance here would allow residents in the adjacent Ballybeg and Kilbarry housing estates, along with the thousands of residents from the nearby estates of Lisduggan, Larchville and many others in the west of the City to take exercise within government guidelines, in a safe environment, practicing social distancing, in a setting that allows people to have access to fresh air and nature in these extraordinary and stressful times. Easy access to the nature park would be a boon to young families with children and to senior citizens, as well as young people.
This additional access point would open the Eco Park to more people living locally but also stop a bottleneck at the Tramore Road entrance which is on a main road.
“We are delighted”, said Úna, “that something we have been calling for, and which can make lasting contribution to the welfare of our community at this difficult time, seems to be finally going ahead”.
