Council pushes on with plans for refurbishment of Streamstown station

As part of continued improvements to the very popular Old Rail Trail greenway, Westmeath County Council has advertised for contractors to convert the old ticket office at Streamstown Station to a toilet block.

The 12-week contract, which has been advertised on e-tenders, provides for the refurbishment and conversion of the old ticket office at the Station (building A) to a toilet block, incorporating male and female toilets, and the installation of electric vehicle charging points and a purpose built unit for the charging of electric bikes.

The anticipated start date for the refurbishment works is July and the closing date for the receipt of applications for the contract is this Friday, July 2.

The main toilet block to be constructed at Streamstown Station will consist of a new roof, new windows, two wash hand basins and four toilets, including one wheelchair accessible toilet. The contract also makes provision of a paved ramp outside the refurbished building with access for wheelchairs.

The conversion works will also require the installation of a wastewater treatment plant, upgrade of existing well and all necessary electrical and mechanical works.

Also included to the exterior of the building is an EV point for cars and bikes, and a purpose built bike stand.

During a discussion on the placing of so-called mobile coffee trailers or food vans on the Old Rail Trail greenway at the May meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District, Director of Services, Barry Kehoe, said it was hoped to have the provision of toilet facilities at Streamstown station completed by the end of this year, and he also expressed the hope that the council could obtain some grant aid to install a “little coffee shop” in the building.

It was acknowledged at that meeting that Streamstown station is more remote than other locations along the greenway, and Barry Kehoe said the council was working to “finish the facilities” in Streamstown.

“We have identified some funding to put in the necessary services, electricity, wastewater treatment and water” he said “we hope to get the toilets finished by the end of this year, and with a fair wind by the end of the year, we may get some grant aid under one of the various schemes open to us to finish off the little coffee shop in the Station building, which has already been renovated.”