Council introducing measures to assist public queueing on streets
PROPOSALS BEING LOOKED AT INCLUDE AWNINGS AND ONE-WAY PEDESTRIANISATION SYSTEM
A RANGE of measures are being implemented by Wexford Borough District Council to assist the post-lockdown re-opening of the town, following consultations with local business groups.
Some of the proposals which have come from the retail and hospitality sector can be easily delivered while others will take longer to organise, according to District Manager Angela Laffan who briefed councillors about an online meeting held by the Wexford Borough Working Group, representing the Council and business and tourism organisations in the town.
Businesses have requested a number of measures including social distancing signage; arrows for queueing outside shops to avoid chaos; awnings or covers to protect the public from the elements while queueing; the installation of a retractable perspex type roof in zones such as South Main Street or Selskar Square; promotion of a ‘Shop Local’ campaign and a ‘Safe Wexford’ campaign; volunteers to assist people queueing; live music, piped music or street theatre; a one-way system for pedestrians to walk on one side of the street; the licencing of outdoor furniture for cafes and restaurants; the further extension of pedestrian zones in Anne Street (after 6 p.m.) Charlotte Street/Monck Street, Mallin Street and South Main Street; street closures after 6 p.m. to facilitate outdoor seats and outdoor seating for people to sit while queueing.
Ms. Laffan said there are currently 20 licences for outdoor seating and new applications will be considered on a case by case basis to ensure there are no difficulties with public safety in narrow sections of the Main Street and access for pedestrians, queues outside shops and wheelchairs.
The current licence fee of €125 for a table and four chairs is to be waived until the end of the year.
‘By and large, we will try and facilitate as many requests as possible but there may not be a huge increase in applications because of the number that we already have,’ she said.
Ms. Laffan noted that Wexford town is already well served with the pedestrianisation of the Main Street but further areas could pedestrianised to accommodate the night time economy.
The following areas will be considered subject to demand – Mallin Street (day time during pedestrian hours); Anne Street (after 6 p.m.); South Main Street (from Lower Bride Street to King Street) after 6 p.m. and Monck Street/Charlotte Street (after 6 p.m.).
The District Manager said the social distancing signage would need to be flexible and easy to adapt if the required distance is reduced to 1 metre in the coming weeks.
It was agreed to monitor shoppers’ behaviour over the coming week and to erect signage if it is considered necessary.
In relation to a one-way system for pedestrians, Ms. Laffan said there was an increase in activity in the week beginning June 8 but it levelled off after a few days.
The Borough Engineer has been monitoring queues outside shops and it has not been a major issue, she said.
The Mayor of Wexford, Cllr. George Lawlor asked if it could be arranged for people queueing for Penneys to queue up the hill, rather than from the other side, as they are blocking the entrances to other shops.
Ms. Laffan said the Council tried piped music on the street last week and councillors received some negative feedback about it while other people indicated that they would be in favour of quality music, buskers and street theatre.
She said it was agreed that the town should encourage good quality busking without amplification but not live music performances that would encourage groups to gather amid concerns about social distancing.
There was agreement on the provision of a Visit Wexford kiosk in the Bullring to promote the county and visitor attractions, provided that it is staffed.
Another measure under consideration is a self-certification system for local businesses complying with Government guidelines and the issue of a window sticker with the message ‘This is a safe Wexford business’ or ‘Wexford is a Covid Safe Town’.
Cllr. John Hegarty asked about the use of the quayfront as a location for outdoor cafes.
He said it has been a very popular area with many people used to walking and cycling there and he suggested the Council should encourage them to stay longer by facilitating small businesses wishing to operate on the quay and offer an outreach service in a second location.
Ms. Laffan said this might prove difficult as many businesses preferred to have tables and chairs outside their premises so they could access them easily and keep an eye on them.
Cllr. Maura Bell suggested that arts and crafts type businesses might be a more suitable option for the quayfront.