‘I was amazed at the lack of knowledge’

“Ballyfermot will become like Drogheda.”

This is what a concerned businessman said after a meeting held on Tuesday evening by a local group who are opposed to the proposed changes by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to their locality under the BusConnects project.

The meeting was held in the Pastoral Centre, Kylemore Road by a group from Ballyfermot who are opposed to the proposed changes to their area under the BusConnects Liffey Valley to City Centre project.

Gerry Ryan, who does the social media for the group and has posted several videos in relation to this issue on the group’s Facebook page, has two Centra stores in the area, one on the Ballyfermot Road and one in Claddagh Green.

He was taken aback by the lack of knowledge of people coming into his stores concerning the proposed changes.

“I was amazed at the lack of knowledge at what was happening,” said Gerry.

Eventhough he is involved in business a long time he too was also totally unaware of the proposed changes.

“I didn’t see anything,” said Gerry.

He and other businesses in the area are also concerned at what may be the effect the proposed changes and the construction involved will have on their businesses.

“They are reducing the size of the footpaths, will we have a livelihood?” asked Gerry.

However, Gerry feels that there is a groundswell of public opposition in Ballyfermot to the BusConnects proposals.

“There will be no inward investment into Ballyfermot Road, where would you stop?” added Gerry.

Approximately 25 people from the group attended the meeting which began at 6.30 pm.

Councillors Hazel de Nortúin (PBP) and Vincent Jackson (Ind) were in attendance as were local residents and people from other local groups such as Ballyfermot Heritage group.

One of the issues that members of the group mentioned was the effect the proposal will have on local children attending local national and secondary schools, particularly those proximate to the roundabout.

The group have decided to hold a protest march on Saturday, October 5 and will ask those attending to assemble at the roundabout at the Church of the Assumption, Ballyfermot at 12.30 pm.

At 1 pm the crowd will proceed to the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre and will hold a protest at the bus hub there.

The group also decided at the meeting which posters and leaflets they will use in their campaign.

Cllr Jackson on behalf of the group will also be making contact with the National Transport Authority to arrange a meeting with them.

Responding to The Echo in April the NTA said that the BusConnects Liffey Valley to City Centre, Core Bus Corridor was granted permission by An Bord Pleanála in December 2023.

The spokesperson for the NTA continued that there were three rounds of non-statutory public consultation by the NTA, on the scheme, as well as statutory consultation by An Bord Pleanála under the planning process.