Strandhill bollards to remain in place
BOLLARDS along the promenade in Strandhill are to remain in place for at least another couple of months. The situation prompted a debate in Sligo County Council as some councillors called for their removal, while others said they are not qualified to make an informed decision on removing them.
Cllr Tom MacSharry put a motion forward at Friday’s meeting advocating for their removal.
Cllr MacSharry said that the vaccination rollout and approach for an outdoor summer in Ireland provides an opportunity to remove the bollards, which have restricted parking on the seafront for several months. The Fianna Fáil representative added that they owe it to elderly and vulnerable people to allow them to enjoy the shore from the car park while encouraging “young and fit people” to continue to walk down from the car park.
Cllr Donal Gilroy said the bollards have not prevented cars from coming down and that instead they are “parking parallel” to the bollards, creating a major issue of illegal parking.
Cllr Arthur Gibbons said this is not a decision which is in the hands of Sligo County Council as they are “not experts”.
“We are not qualified to make these decisions. If we did, where would it stop? We are where we are because we follow advice, otherwise we are setting a dangerous precedent. I don’t like to see the bollards there – none of us do – but they are there for a reason.”
Acting chief executive Tom Kilfeather said that the report provided in response to this motion is “very clear” on the reasoning for the bollards and that they are in place based on reaosnable and appropriate advice. He added that it must taken into consideration that the country officially remains in a Level 5 lockdown.
He said: “That is the reality, we can’t pretend it isn’t there. We are on the right path, these are fluid situations and measures will change accordingly.”
Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady supported the cting chief executive’s comments and that it would be “foolish to politicise” this situation and said that removing the bollards now would create “a bigger issue” in relation to space for walking.
Cllr Declan Bree proposed an amendment to Cllr MacSharry’s motion that instead of simply asking to remove the bollards that it instead asks that they are moved when it is declared safe to do so.
Cllr MacSharry agreed to the amendment but said he is disappointed that a decision could not be made as “people want a solution”.