Thank you to Waterford News & Star for writing about my Waterford Luas proposal!
www.waterford-news.ie/news/would-a...
#Waterford #Ireland #PublicTransport #IrishPolitics #WaterfordCity #Luas #WaterfordLuas #WaterfordTram #Tram #Trams #Sustainability #Decarbonisation #WeAllThrive #Transport
I'll be on Déise Today with Damien Tiernan on WLR FM tomorrow, Wed 18th at 11:15am to speak about my proposal for a Waterford Luas if anyone wants to listen in! 🔊
www.wlrfm.com/player
#Waterford #Ireland #PublicTransport #IrishPolitics #WaterfordCity #SouthEast #WaterfordLuas #Decarbonisation
Zoomed in map of Waterford city with proposed tram route including stops
Full map of proposed Waterford tram route including catchment area
With the recent update about the scrapping of the shuttle bus across the new bridge in Waterford City, I decided to make mockup of what a better transport solution could look like!
The Waterford Luas:
#Waterford #Ireland #IrishPolitics #WaterfordCity #WaterfordLuas #Sustainability #Decarbonisation
A lot of this opposition comes from the fact that residents feel ignored when decisions are made by an unelected local government ('Council CEO' and Directors of Services who form the executive) - and I completely agree with Cllr Adam Wyse's recent appeals to improve democratic accountability. Changing Section 38 wouldn't be enough, as it still encourages elected councillors to oppose everything (as every councillor is effectively forced into being in opposition due to our undemocratic system of local government where they are blocked from being decision-makers), denies them any ability to form a democratic executive, and allows the Council CEO and Directors of Services to ignore public feedback without any cost. Every other democracy in the world has 1 of 3 forms of democratic government structures: A cabinet system with an executive formed of elected councillors - a Local Mayor and Local Ministers (like we and most other European countries have at national level, a parliamentary system) A committee system with a series of cross-party executive Local Committees for Housing, Transport etc - this works really well in Scotland especially as it encourages cross-party collaboration and includes all democratic representatives. A mayoral/presidential system, with a directly-elected executive mayor and Local Commissioners that they appoint, all held accountable by elected councillors. This system has been implemented in Limerick (to a minor extent, with the Council CEO renamed Director General and still retaining a lot of power without any democratic accountability).
We currently have one of the most centralised countries in both the OECD and the EU, and are one of the only countries in Europe where votes trust their local government less than their national government (which generally holding relatively higher levels of trust for both due to our brilliant proportional and preferential STV-PR electoral system). Our unique lack of democratic accountability due to our undemocratic system of local government (which, once again, is distinct from every other democracy in the world, which has autonomous democratic local governments of one form or another) is a major reason for this. Until the system changes to one where local councils can choose a democratic structure where they are elected to make decisions as part of an accountable executive, we will continue incentivising councillors to oppose any changes (because of a few vocal voters drowning out the majority with our individual objector planning instead of a majority participative planning system) and an unelected Local Government which is encouraged to ignore voter concerns and input.
![I hope that everyone reading this can support local government reform to allow us to join the rest of the democratic world in having local executives which face democratic accountability. The UK has had a bad history of underfunding local government and centralising things, but implemented successful structural reforms in their local government reform of 2000 [full legislation here], which allowed each council to choose 1 of 4 structures (cabinet, committee, mayoral, and council CEO - similar to our current system but with the council CEO appointed by councillors instead of national government to improve local democratic accountability; this was later removed as an option because not a single council in the UK chose this worse system when given the choice).
Please consider expediting the creation of new safe and segregated bike infrastructure (inner ring road, urban Greenway to Tramore, and Cork Road) before there are any more casualties of cyclists and e-scooter users due to lack of safe infrastructure. People are always against roadworks and upheaval, but so rarely complain about infrastructure once it's completed and they see the results in terms of improved traffic levels, more freedom of travel, and better wellbeing. And please consider putting pressure on your parties and other councillors to support local government reform into one which is more democratic and trusted, alongside holding more decentralised powers.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hvod757qvb3d7z5n4pxocu3v/bafkreig4tdgarsbjjpirnybmd3v4habdyd7trwrw4czppnvtw2cknqmbqe)
I hope that everyone reading this can support local government reform to allow us to join the rest of the democratic world in having local executives which face democratic accountability. The UK has had a bad history of underfunding local government and centralising things, but implemented successful structural reforms in their local government reform of 2000 [full legislation here], which allowed each council to choose 1 of 4 structures (cabinet, committee, mayoral, and council CEO - similar to our current system but with the council CEO appointed by councillors instead of national government to improve local democratic accountability; this was later removed as an option because not a single council in the UK chose this worse system when given the choice). Please consider expediting the creation of new safe and segregated bike infrastructure (inner ring road, urban Greenway to Tramore, and Cork Road) before there are any more casualties of cyclists and e-scooter users due to lack of safe infrastructure. People are always against roadworks and upheaval, but so rarely complain about infrastructure once it's completed and they see the results in terms of improved traffic levels, more freedom of travel, and better wellbeing. And please consider putting pressure on your parties and other councillors to support local government reform into one which is more democratic and trusted, alongside holding more decentralised powers.
And all of this could be improved with a democratic local government instead of the undemocratic/unaccountable Council CEO system we have now:
#LocalDemocracy #Ireland #LocalGovernmentReform #Democracy #Irish #Community #Waterford #Democratic #LocalGovernment #IrishPolitics #Cycling #WaterfordCity
Mount Suir Apartments Residents' Meeting tomorrow, Thursday 29th at 6pm in Carrickphierish Library!
If you are a resident, please attend!
Thanks to Waterford N&S for writing this article:
www.waterford-news.ie/news/catu-ca...
#TenantsUnion #Waterford #HousingCrisis #WaterfordCity #TenantsRights
A photo of the news article from Waterford News & Star about the upcoming meeting.
Thanks to Waterford News & Star for writing about our upcoming meeting for residents of Mount Suir Apartments at 6pm this Thursday 29th January at Carrickphierish Library.
Please attend if you are a resident, and spread the word!
#TenantsUnion #Waterford #HousingCrisis #WaterfordCity #TenantsRights
Raring to go after our Christmas break, #VinylFriday returns to Downes' on Friday, Jan 30th. Join us for a night of great music and good times from 8.30pm.
#WaterfordVinyl #VinylPlayers #WaterfordCity #waterfordvinylcrew #WaterfordCulturalQuarter
Experience Seamless Journeys, Cleaner Waterford and Cost Saving!
All citizens are welcome to start reducing urban congestion and emissions through using the shared e-mobility services.
ROBUST is funded by #SEAI
#WaterfordCity
#SmartCities
#Sustainability
#EMobility
#ClimateAction
#ROBUST
In recent days and weeks, many in local media and on social media have been highlighting the horrible traffic congestion faced by those living in and around our city. Alongside these many complaints, some have highlighted supposed ‘solutions’ to the gridlock - conservative suggestions, which ultimately include even more lanes for traffic and additional parking spaces. There is a better alternative, which is actually based on best-practice in urban planning across Europe; reducing the number of cars on the road by providing additional transport options and by planning for medium-density, mixed-use buildings, which can build thriving, walkable communities. The traffic congestion in a city like Waterford is not normal. Nor is it normal in Galway, nor in Dublin. This is caused, simply, by too many people driving. And that is due, in part, to a lack of freedom to choose how we want to travel safely and efficiently. I am one such example; despite never once driving anywhere else I've lived, preferring to cycle or use public transport, my life in Waterford is dominated by driving, due to a lack of safe and segregated bike paths, severe urban sprawl, and abysmal public transport for a city the size of Waterford. Our lack of public transport infrastructure in our cities makes Ireland the clear outlier among European countries. Many similarly-populated cities across our continent have at least one tram line, and a large number of bus routes - with some providing 24-hour coverage. During my local and general election campaigns, I found 10 French and German cities the size of Waterford which have tramlines. In particular, I highlighted the example of Dessau-Rosslau in Germany, a city of similar size, which contains two tram lines, 14 bus routes, including six night routes, and a commuter rail system. Maybe, instead of calling to make our city actively worse to exist in by undoing pedestrianisation and adding extra lanes of traffic - we can pressure those in power to buil…
Thanks to the Munster Express for printing my recent article about Solving Waterford's Traffic Problems!
#Waterford #WaterfordCity #Traffic #UrbanDesign #UrbanPlanning #PublicDesign #WaterfordLuas #Déise #Deise #BusConnects #Tramore #Ireland #IrishPolitics #IrishNews #LocalNews #LocalMedia
I was recently on Déise Today to discuss my article 'Solving Waterford's Traffic Problems' - thanks to Damien Tiernan and WLR FM for having me on!
@wlrfm.bsky.social
youtu.be/XSkLr1cSkog
#Waterford #WaterfordCity #Traffic #PublicTransport #WaterfordLuas #BusConnects #Ireland #UrbanDesign
Waterford News & Star: Letter to the Editor: Solving Waterford's traffic problems A key aspect of improving our city centre is to look at how successful cities thrive across the world Letter to the Editor: Solving Waterford's traffic problems Whether you agree or disagree with the views expressed or would like to have your own personal opinion aired in public, we’re waiting to hear from you.
In recent days and weeks, many in local media and on social media have been highlighting the horrible traffic congestion faced by those living in and around our city. Alongside these many complaints, some have highlighted supposed ‘solutions’ to the gridlock - conservative suggestions, which ultimately include even more lanes for traffic and additional parking spaces. There is a better alternative, which is actually based on best-practice in urban planning across Europe; reducing the number of cars on the road by providing additional transport options and by planning for medium-density, mixed-use buildings, which can build thriving, walkable communities.
The traffic congestion in a city like Waterford is not normal. Nor is it normal in Galway, nor in Dublin. This is caused, simply, by too many people driving. And that is due, in part, to a lack of freedom to choose how we want to travel safely and efficiently. I am one such example; despite never once driving anywhere else I've lived, preferring to cycle or use public transport, my life in Waterford is dominated by driving, due to a lack of safe and segregated bike paths, severe urban sprawl, and abysmal public transport for a city the size of Waterford. Our lack of public transport infrastructure in our cities makes Ireland the clear outlier among European countries. Many similarly-populated cities across our continent have at least one tram line, and a large number of bus routes - with some providing 24-hour coverage. During my local and general election campaigns, I found 10 French and German cities the size of Waterford which have tramlines. In particular, I highlighted the example of Dessau-Rosslau in Germany, a city of similar size, which contains two tram lines, 14 bus routes, including six night routes, and a commuter rail system.
Maybe, instead of calling to make our city actively worse to exist in by undoing pedestrianisation and adding extra lanes of traffic - we can pressure those in power to build a Waterford Luas along the Cork Road onto the South Quays and out the Dunmore Road, and to implement additional bus routes with a frequency of 5-10 minutes! That would allow us to actively increase pedestrianisation and actively reduce parking in our city centre - and study after study highlights how, contrary to the assumptions of conservative commentators, increased pedestrianisation and active travel infrastructure actually increases city centre activity and commercial revenues. Put plainly, make our city centre a nice place to exist in and more people will want to exist in it. At a time when online shopping is hollowing out commercial activity across the world and Kilkenny town is outcompeting us simply by being a lovely place to visit and to exist in, making Waterford City beautiful is more important than ever.
My recent letter in Waterford News & Star about Solving Waterford City's Traffic Problems:
www.waterford-news.ie/opinion/lett...
#Waterford #PublicTransport #Traffic #UrbanDesign #Transport #UrbanPlanning #WaterfordCity #Bus #Train #BusConnects #Traffic #Cars #Ireland #IrishPolitics #Local
Deaf (12A) screens in Garter Lane Arts Centre on Tuesday, Oct 18th, at 7.30pm. Advance booking available in-person, online and 051-855038.
#deafmovie #sorda #evalibertad #panoramaaudienceaward #berlinale #berlinale2025 #luxaudienceaward #luxaudienceaward2025
#waterford #waterfordcity
Tensions soared at the Waterford City Council meeting as residents demanded accountability for Council Member Talbot's inflammatory rhetoric, calling for a return to respectful dialogue.
Read the full story
#WaterfordCityStanislausCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #WaterfordCity #CivicAccountability
At the recent Waterford City Council meeting, a passionate plea for unity in political discourse reminded us that love and acceptance can bridge divides in our community.
Learn more here
#WaterfordCityStanislausCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #WaterfordCity #CommunityUnity #RecreationEnhancement
Guest reveal: part two. This duo captures the essence of WVPA; one has already graced the turntables in Downes' on more than one occasion, the other is coming all the way from the PRC to make his #VinylFriday debut. Sept 30th from 7.30pm.
#waterfordvinyl #vinylplayers #waterford #waterfordcity
Guest reveal: part one. These two are no strangers to the decks in Downes' Bar. Expect to hear lots of '90s classics, some funky floor fillers and the odd curveball or two on #VinylFriday
#waterfordvinyl #vinylplayers #waterfordcity #waterford
Our two residents and four guest DJs will be laying down the vinyl for a full five hours in Downes' Bar on Vinyl Friday, Sept 26th. Top tunes and good vibes from 7.30pm.
#waterfordvinyl #vinylplayers #vinylfriday #waterfordcity
A big céad míle fáilte to the gang of four. We're delighted to host four guest spinners at this month's #VinylFriday. Looking forward to greeting new friends and old in Downes' Bar on Aug 29th from 8.30pm.
#WaterfordVinyl #VinylPlayers #WaterfordCity #waterfordvinylcrew #WaterfordCulturalQuarter
It's time to mark your calendars for our monthly celebration of all things vinyl. If you're a fan of good music, Downes Bar is the place to be on #VinylFriday, August 29th.
#WaterfordVinyl #VinylPlayers #WaterfordCity #waterfordvinylcrew #WaterfordCulturalQuarter
Superstar Nomads featured in The Munster Express on August 5th 2025
Big thanks to Adam Doheny and The Sound Check for the excellent write-up in today’s #MunsterExpress!
#waterford #indiemusic #irish #waterfordcity #waterfordmusic
It may not feel like summer, but we can guarantee you a warm welcome in Downes' Bar, Waterford on Friday next, July 25th😎 The needle hits the groove from 8.30pm. Don't be left out in the cold 🥶
#VinylFriday #waterfordvinyl #vinylplayers #waterfordcity #waterfordculturalquarter
A #tug reverses away from #belviewport on the river Suir showing its maneuverability. It was framed by the funnels of another tug which I was lucky to get a short trip on. This port facility is downstream from #waterfordcity, Ireland.
Photo @worldreachcomms.bsky.social
Studio: Monster Entertainment
Looking for Mid Storyboard Artist
Type of work: Hybrid
Apply Here!
Location: Ireland, WaterfordCity
animationjobs
Like, follow, tag, donate and repost to keep the updates coming!
One piano with two decks hosting six of the best vinyl spinners around encapsulates this month's #VinylFriday in Downes' Bar. Join us tonight from 8.30pm for four hours of #vinyltastic tunes covering diverse genres from near and far.
#WaterfordVinyl #VinylPlayers #WaterfordCity #waterfordvinylcrew
Studio: Monster Entertainment
Looking for Mid Production Coordinator
Type of work: Hybrid
Apply Here!
Location: Ireland, WaterfordCity
animationjobs
Like, follow, tag, donate and repost to keep the updates coming!
We hope you're all enjoying your Easter Bank Holiday weekends. There's no better way to finish out the Easter break than a #VinylFriday night out in Downes' Bar, Waterford in the company of the #vinylistas from #WaterfordVinylPlayersAssociation
#WaterfordVinyl #VinylPlayers #WaterfordCity #Vinyl
Streetart Waterford City Ireland 🇮🇪
In Colour and BlacknWhite
#Streetart #Waterfordcity #StreetPhotography #monochrome #Ireland #photography #bnw #blackandwhite #art
A map of the public transport network for Dessau-Roßlau, with 2 tramlines and 16 bus routes including night busses.
A map of the current public transport network for Waterford, with 5 main bus routes.
A map of the proposed public transport network for Waterford, with 6 main bus routes.
After holding a 'consultation', BusConnects Waterford Plan has been released with almost no changes based on feedback. This plan is unambitious and guarantees bad public transport and increasing levels of traffic for years to come.
(1/7)
#Waterford #WaterfordCity #Ireland #PublicTransport
Always lovely to get back home to take a tour of the city 🤍💙
#WaterfordCity #WaterfordHeritage #TourismTrail #Vikings
