The BMW Regional Operational Programme 2007-13 prioritises sustainable urban development in both the NSS Gateways and Hub towns. The objective of the ERDF co-financed Grants Scheme managed by the BMW Regional Assembly is to contribute to enhancing the attractiveness of the Gateways and Hub Towns as places to live, work and invest in and to improving their development potential through enhancement of the economic, social and environmental conditions of the growth centre in support of both the Lisbon competitiveness objectives and the need to promote greater intra-regional balance in the interests of internal cohesion. Capital grant assistance under the scheme has been made available to the NSS Gateways and Hub Towns in the BMW region for projects which fall within the scope of Article 8 of the ERDF Regulation 1080/2006, and are consistent with the overall integrated development strategy for the Gateway.
The BMW Regional Assembly announced the allocation of €17.15m under the scheme in October 2009, following a competitive call for proposals which was launched in July 2009. The proposals were assessed by a Steering Committee comprising the Regional Assembly, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Finance. The allocations provide up to 60% of public investment costs in the selected urban projects, with the balance provided by the local authorities. The funding is drawn from the 7.5% advance of ERDF funding to the 2007-2013 BMW Regional Operational Programme.
The Dundalk Gateway was allocated €1.9m towards the redevelopment of Market Square in the centre of the town which will re-instate Market Square as a multi-functional civic and social focus of the gateway.
Galway City has been awarded €2m towards the cost of a strategic bus and cycle corridor, subject to confirmation of co-financing by the Department of Transport.
In the Midlands, €1.45m has been allocated towards the Athlone Art Gallery and €1.2m each to both the Mullingar Cycle Network and the Canal Corridor in Tullamore.
In Sligo, €2.4m has been allocated towards the redevelopment and refurbishment of the Model Arts and Niland Gallery and provision of outdoor performance spaces.
Letterkenny has been awarded €0.7m towards the re-paving and refurbishment of Upper Main Street along with enhanced traffic management and pedestrian linkages.
The Mayo Hub Towns of Castlebar and Ballina have each been awarded €1.4m. In Ballina, this will fund the refurbishment of Pearse Street along with the addition of a link road to Market Square and the refurbishment of a former bank on Pearse Street to house the Jackie Clarke Library and Archives. In Castlebar, the funding will go towards town centre regeneration and streetscape refurbishment along with the development of the river walk as an amenity corridor.
Monaghan Town has been awarded €0.75m towards the enhancement and refurbishment of the Dublin Street area of the town and the provision of enhanced recreation and amenity facilities.
Cavan Hub Town has been awarded €1.4m towards the construction of the Eastern Access Route in the town, including the provision of a cycleway and footpaths. This will facilitate traffic management and will also open new areas for development.
Tuam Hub Town has been awarded €1.35m towards the refurbishment of the Shambles Square and its environs, the enhancement and energy proofing of public amenities and also supports Tuam’s Smart Town initiative, coinciding with a major water services investment that is about to commence in the town.
