‘Town is dying – this will put nail in its coffin’
MORE than three months after the official launch of the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan, concerns are still being raised about proposals to remove parking spaces from the Market Square. Back in February, an extensive rejuvenation project which included details on “the phased pedestrianisation of Market Square” was revealed to much fanfare.
However, concerns regarding the removal of parking spaces were aired at the time and now, as candidates hit the canvassing trail, they have emerged once more.
At the May meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District (EMD),
Councillor Jackser Owens said those on the doorsteps were not happy with the plan.
“The town is dying and this will put a nail in its coffin, this is coming from business people, workers, consumers, all over the town people are not happy about this and, I have to be honest, I agree with them,” he said.
Meanwhile, new Wexford Independent Alliance (WIA) candidate, Majella Wall, was even firmer in her views. “Wexford County Council must not be allowed to impose on the business community of Enniscorthy a plan that is flawed and which will ultimately lead to many shop closures.”
MONTHS after the launch of the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan there remains some strong, concerted opposition to one key element of said plan. Included in the plan, which will see a number of extensive redevelopment works carried out across the town, is a proposal to reduce the number of parking spaces in the Market Square area.
This will involve the “phased pedestrianisation of Market Square, with restriction and ultimately elimination of all through traffic” and the “expansion of footpaths to provide useable urban space and traffic control measures on Main Street”. However, despite widely welcoming the contents of the plan, the removal of those spaces remains a source of contention for sitting councillors, retiring councillors, and those hopeful of being elected for the first time on June 7.
At the May meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District (EMD) Councillor Jackser Owens said his experiences on the canvas trail had highlighted how unhappy people were about the loss of parking spaces in the town centre.
“People are not happy with car parking spaces being taken out of town, the town is dying and this will put a nail in its coffin, this is coming from business people, workers, consumers, all over the town people are not happy about this and, I have to be honest, I agree with them,” said Cllr Owens. “I don’t know who’ll be here on the next council, I might not be back here in June, but I’m making that point now, I want it on the record.”
He received support from Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan who, despite her looming retirement, was keen to ensure the people affected most by the plan were listened to.
“There will have to be more consultation on this, people are very anxious about parking situation, we can’t mess this up, we have to properly consult with these people and sort out the parking, full stop,” she said.
Also on the canvassing trail is first-time candidate and local business-owner, Majella Wall. The Wexford Independent Alliance candidate said the Town Centre First Plan has no support among the local business community and is “doomed to failure” unless Wexford County Council (WCC) listen to the concerns of traders.
Stating she will fight the plan “tooth and nail” if elected on June 7, Ms Wall is demanding that WCC rethink the plan and said is “steadfastly” behind the Enniscorthy Business Association’s opposition to it in its current guise.
“This must not be allowed happen and if elected to Enniscorthy Municipal District (EMD) I will oppose it tooth and nail,” said the Wexford Independent Alliance (WIA) candidate. “WCC must not be allowed to impose on the business community of Enniscorthy a plan that is flawed and which will ultimately lead to many shop closures. Past planning mistakes in Enniscorthy, Rafter Street being a case in point, have cost the business community dearly and to now compound those mistakes by trying to impose a parking ban in the town centre is utterly unacceptable and simply will not be tolerated.”
Fearing the development of the plan will kill off commercial activity in Enniscorthy, Ms Wall has asked WCC to sit down with the Business Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and members of the public and listen to their views before making any final decision on the way forward for Enniscorthy.
Stressing that she is in favour of certain elements of the town centre plan, Ms Wall said the proposal to remove parking spaces from the Market Square is the line in the sand for her.
“I will oppose every proposal to eliminate parking in the town centre if elected and I will support the business community in fighting this to the bitter end. In short, to paraphrase a more imminent politician ‘this lady is not for turning’ on this proposal.”
Having canvassed throughout Enniscorthy, Ms Wall said she is “amazed at the depth of feelings around this issue and simply cannot understand the council’s thinking”.
“The voice of the people must be heard and listened to and if I’m chosen by the people to serve on the local council, I will be their voice and will make sure it’s heard loud and clear,” she said.