Proposed Tralee traffic plan is set to cause controversy
May 1995
A NEW, detailed traffic and parking plan for Tralee looks set to cause controversy within Tralee Town Council, with council meinbers split on the issue of whether or not to pedestrianise parts of the town.
The plan which was prepared by consultant engineer Jim Fox was presented to Monday night’s monthly meeting of Tralee Town Council.
Several councillors however took issue with various parts of the plan, particularly the suggestion to pedestrianise The
Square and the southern part of The Mall in the long term.
Cllr Norma Foley said she felt it would be a retrograde step to pedestrianise too much of the town, and that she was only in favour of partial pedestrianisation.
“Without the traffic going through the centre of ‘ Tralee, there would be no vibrancy or sense of buzz in the town,” she said.
“If the traffic by-passes the heart of the town, there would be no encouragement for people to stop in the town. It would be a retrograde step and it would be damaging for business and after is a business town.
‘Cllr Jim Finucane, however, spoke strongly in favour of making some parts of the town pedestrian only zones. He said studies had shown that taking the heavy traffic flow out of a town enhances business rather than damages it.
“Naas has boomed since they by-passed it and took the heavy traffic out of it. It’s now a more attractive place to shop. And Grafton Street, which is completely pedestrianised, is one of the most attractive streets in Europe,” he said.
Consultant Engineer Jim all, Tralee
Fox, who introduced the traffic plan to the meeting, said that pedestrianlsation had both positive and negative effects and the Council should consider all aspects very carefully.
Tralee Town Engineer, Paddy Scanlon said there would be an extra 900 car parking spaces available in the town this summer, which should make Tralee a more attractive place to shop.
He added that it should be kept in mind that the suggestions put forward in the traffic plan could not be implemented for at least another year as there was no funding available.