MUNICIPAL DISTRICT MEETING
THERE was strong support from elected members of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council to a recommendation brought by officials that the town centre become a pedestrianised zone to help local businesses reopen following the Covid-19 crisis.
As highlighted on the front page of this newspaper last week, the plan, which was brought to the members’ attention by District Manager Ger Mackey at last week’s meeting of the local authority, would see Rafter Street, Weafer Street, Slaney Street and Market Square all become pedestrianised zones.
‘I would recommend the pedestrianisation of Market Square, Rafter Street, Weafer Street and Slaney Street,’ said Mr Mackey.
‘It’s a journey of discovery and I think it’s [needed] to allow the likes of cafés to maximise footfall in the town centre area,’ Mr Mackey told the members.
‘We would propose that a steering group will meet to put a plan in place,’ he said.
In response to a query from Cllr Jackser Owens, Mr Mackey said the steering group would report back to the members what it decides to do.
‘ There is broad support among the business community to what we are proposing,’ said Mr Mackey. ‘We will keep the members informed and if the members are concerned about anything the steering group will take that on board.’
Mr Mackey then highlighted some of the traffic flow changes that would be implemented to facilitate the plan.
‘If you go down Main Street you will have to turn down Irish Street,’ he said.
‘ The dynamics of this have to be worked out,’ he added.
He also said that pedestrianisation would come into effect after 10 a.m. ‘at the earliest, and possibly after 11 a.m.’.
‘ These are things that we have to work out,’ he said.
Cllr Owens recalled when traffic flow in the town was changed before and in particular made reference to when traffic was restricted from going down Irish Street.
‘It was a bad idea and we had to change it back again,’ said Cllr Owens.
However, Mr Mackey then highlighted that the pedestrianisation plan would be implemented for the summer, in the first instance.
‘It’s to allow shops and cafés to trade on the street and to allow people to queue on the street if going into shops,’ he said.
Mr Mackey said it was aimed at providing people with ‘a safe shopping experience’ in the town. He also suggested it will create a nice atmosphere in the town centre as well.
Cllr Aidan Browne said he welcomed any idea that was aimed at opening up the town again. However, he said that not all business owners were keen on the idea and asked if a survey could be done of all business owners in the town.
Cllr Browne then asked if a joint access scheme could be considered that would give priority right-of-way to pedestrians.
‘We can look at that, and the steering group will look at it,’ replied Mr Mackey.
‘Of course this will not please everybody but you have to do what is right for the town and
businesses,’ he added.
‘I would welcome the fact we are looking at this idea,’ said Cllr Cathal Byrne. ‘ The world is a very different place to what we knew two or three months ago.’
He also said the steering group idea was a good way to look at the plan.
Cllr Byrne suggested that members could make submissions to the steering group for consideration.
‘ The steering group should report back to the members before any decisions are made,’
Cllr Byrne said.
‘We can do that,’ replied Mr Mackey.
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy also welcomed the idea and she also said that if it means having to use sprayers ‘so that people know how clean we are making the place’ that’s good.
Cllr John O’Rourke also welcomed the fact the local authority was looking at ways of opening up Enniscorthy.
Cllr Murphy then proposed the plan and was seconded by Cllr Cathal Byrne