Watershed day for Waterford as North Quays Project kicks into gear – Cummins

The first step in the regeneration of the North Quays has been described as a watershed day for Waterford by Fine Gael Senator John Cummins.

Speaking after the ground-breaking ceremony attended by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to officially kickstart the public infrastructure contract for the project, Senator Cummins said: “Today is a momentous day for Waterford and the entire South-East region. I believe it marks a very significant turning point in the history of our city.

“The allocation of €170.6 million by Government for the North Quays has enabled this site to be unlocked and I am really looking forward to seeing Harcourt Developments’ detailed design for the private sector elements which are expected to include a hotel, office, apartments, retail and food offerings.

“This project is one of the biggest votes of confidence in Waterford in living memory and I’d like to commend everyone who has been involved to date.”

Senator Cummins, who was Mayor of Waterford in 2016 when the site was designated as a Strategic Development Zone by then Fine Gael Minister Paudie Coffey, said: “While it has taken us much longer to get to this point than anyone would have hoped for, with many bumps in the road, today is a very significant day which I believe we will look back on as one of the catalysts for the growth in our city that followed.

“Centring our public transportation system on the site, building new access roads and linking the Waterford and New Ross Greenways via a bridge at the Clock Tower will bring so many benefits for our city centre.”

Senator Cummins concluded: “This investment will unlock the potential that we know exists with the North Quays site and when the project is delivered, it will redefine Waterford city and help us compete on a level playing pitch with our peer cities.

“Today marks the official green light on one of the biggest regeneration projects in regional Ireland and I am excited about the project and Waterford’s bright future”.

ENDS