The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Traffic promptly slows down as street re-opens
ONE of Listowel’s main thoroughfares was reopened on Saturday on the completion of a two-month scheme that saw the road largely closed to traffic - only for traffic through the town to begin slowing down.
The new-look William Street was widely welcomed by traders and townspeople at the culmination of a two-year-long campaign for the vital repair project.
But while William Street was closed to cars and trucks during the works traffic flowed much better in Listowel with the other main town centre artery of Church Street operating a two-way traffic system.
Within hours of William Street re-opening and Church Street going back to normal as a one-way, the flow of traffic through Listowel began reverting to its usual slower grind.
“Flow was better but to be fair there wasn’t nearly as many people coming into Listowel the past few months while the work was underway,” local Fine Gael County Councillor Mike Kennelly told The Kerryman.
“It’s a top-notch job and there’s a great buzz around town since William Street re-opened on Saturday with traders really excited over it,” he said. But the two years came at a cost to traders. “The state of William Street turned people off coming to Listowel and I’m calling now on the council to acknowledge this by reducing rates.”
Cllr Kennelly also praised former Minister Jimmy Deenihan for getting William Street on the NRA radar. “It was only for Jimmy this went ahead at all, unfortunately it cost him dear at the election,” he said.
Mr Deenihan said he was delighted with the outcome of the €600,000 scheme. “When I saw that it hadn’t been included by Kerry County Council on the list for upgrading works for 2015 I personally contacted the NRA who included it. Unfortunately the first design wasn’t to the liking of traders and this delayed it into the election. But I’m delighted it is open now in an excellent job completed to a very high standard.”
While traffic flowed better with the Church Street two-way, the loss of parking spaces to make way for the flow cost traders there dearly, Mr Deenihan added.
“Clearly there is a parking problem in Listowel but I think one way of addressing it would be for Kerry County Council to buy the Mart Yard. This is something I’ve already put to Council CE Moira Murrell.”