Public Transport Minister, Alan Kelly, has announced a major €16.8 million redevelopment of Colbert bus and train station in Limerick.

The plans, prepared by Iarnród Éireann in collaboration with Bus Éireann, Limerick City & County Council and the National Transport Authority, will see a major programme of works carried out on the site in the coming years.

There will be construction of a new pedestrian plaza and public drop-off point that will serve as a civic area for the city replacing the current car-park and disused fuel station on site. The train station's existing toilet block will be demolished to make way for a new bus station, with the current bus station being converted into the access area for a new 235-space car park.

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Minister Kelly said: "This will give both the station and the City of Limerick a huge boost. The station is in need of investment and the creation of a pedestrian plaza at the front of the station facing the city-centre will provide a new civic space for the people of Limerick while dramatically improving the aesthetics of the area. I can see it becoming a real focal point of the city in time. The plaza is the centrepiece of the works and will open up the station to the entire city.

"The plans will greatly improve the public transport experience for the thousands of people who use the station on a daily basis. The station will now be modernised with a seamless interchange between bus and rail services with shared ticketing office, waiting areas and retail spaces. The capacity of the station for both bus and rail will be increased and this will become the key public transport hub serving all Limerick city."

(CD)