Full review of traffic and parking issues to take place in Bettystown
A MAJOR overhaul of traffic management and parking in Bettystown is on the cards after a declaration by Director of Services Fiona Lawless that Meath CC are to appoint consultants to conduct a full review of the town.
The move co-incides with a letter from the Bettystown Retailers Alliance outlining key issues around the area.
They say there are 31 retailers, employing 400 people and that ‘ there is a strong consensus amongst the local business community that Bettystown village has, in recent years, been left behind, in terms of enhancement and that critical issues including parking, traffic congestion, signage/road markings, lack of public toilets and derelict buildings, etc are not being attended to by the council.’
Headed by chairperson Marina Reddan, they say they are bringing forward concerns expressed by shoppers and visitors, including the fact that the 11 disabled parking spaces are continously occupied improperly, that the pedestrian crossings are dangerous to use, faded road markings while a lot of spaces are used up all day (from 6.15am) to late evenings by Dublin commuters, leaving very few for shoppers and visitors.
People are also unsure about using the two large parking areas at the rear of the Anchorage and Funtasia due to fear of clamping. ‘ The absence of signage indicating the parking status (free or pay) in both areas remains an issue especially for visitors and results in many queries to local retailers. Clarification from the council on the public parking status in both these areas would be helpful.’
Ms Lawless said that the council wanted to put all the issues ‘ to bed, once and for all.’
Cllr Sharon Tolan said the retailers had a point and said the crossing at Reddan’s was dangerous with ‘very poor visibility’.
The fact that retailers were now coming together was highlighted by Cllr Sharon Keogan. ‘It shows unity and they have issues and we have to try and resolve them.’
Tom Kelly said the retailers were rate payers and the appointment of consultants was a positive step.
Cllr Eimear Ferguson said the crossing at Funtasia was another location that needed to be examined. Cllr Paddy Meade felt the traders were not forgotten about and the matters would be tackled.