Council confirm plans to provide new public seating in various areas of Sligo town
THERE are plans to provide public seating in various parts of Sligo town councillors were told at a meeting of the Borough of Sligo Municipal District this week.
Recently benches have been removed from the Rockwood Parade area, the Council stating in a written reply to this newspaper that this was done for maintenance.
On Monday at the Borough meeting a Council official, Brian Flynn saidthe benches had been removed in consultation with a number of local businesses who had highlighted how in recent months the benches ``had become a focal point for a minority group who were acting in a manner that was not conducive to the greater public good.” He added it was intended to replace them after maintenance work on them was completed.
He said the Council were working on a programme to address the matter and while they are doing that they are taking the opportunity to carry out maintenance on the benches, he added. Mr Flynn outlined how the Sligo City Centre Public Realm Action Plan 2018 detailed proposals for seating at appropriate locations on streets such as Rockwood Parade, Tobergal Lane, Stephen Street and Holborn Street.
He said the Council has commissioned the preparation of a street furniture strategy for O’Connell Street and Lower Knox Street. It is envisaged that the strategy will also contain proposals for seating installations at various locations.
Asking the Council to provide public seating in appropriate areas/streets in the town centre, Cllr Declan Bree said the removal of the benches on Rockwood Parade for maintenance purposes had focused attention on the need for additional public seating in the town.
“One of the major discussions around public seating and public spaces is anti-social behaviour and who is a legitimate bench user. When tension is created around anti-social behaviour, it is often when there is a very small amount of public seating available, and those seats get ‘taken over’ by people drinking or by a gang of noisy teenagers.
“The seating is then sometimes removed, and this means that others are unable to make use of that space. However, there is evidence that where you provide more public seating, there is then space for everyone and people can then choose where they would want to sit. They might choose to not sit next to someone who was smoking or next to the noisy teenagers. So if there are enough options, it can become inclusive to all,” he said.
He said the provision of seating can greatly enhance the quality of life experienced by older people: “Recent studies conducted by Age Friendly Ireland highlighted a number of common issues that reduce the walkability of an area and have a negative impact on the lives of older people.
“The provision of public seating in appropriate strategic locations can greatly enhance the quality of life experienced by older people and can support them to enjoy more active and connected lives
“Some people who are elderly or who have mobility issues, must plan where and when they’ll need to sit down when they are out and about. And in this context it is important for people to have somewhere they know they can sit down if they need to, without having to wait in queues or spend money in coffee shops and cafes.”
The construction of the new parklet in Quay Street, he said, which contains integrated seating was “certainly positive”.
The official Council reply stated: “The Sligo City Centre Public Realm Action Plan 2018 sets out how publicly accessible areas within Sligo City should be designed for the needs of current and future generations. The Plan contains proposals on several elements including street design, paving, greening of streets, street lighting and also street furniture and seating.
“Public Realm refurbishment works are scheduled to commence in early 2023 on the proposed Queen Maeve Square. The provision of seating will form an integral part of this scheme. In addition, the proposed Sligo Streets Project, which will comprise the refurbishment of Rockwood Parade, Tobergal Lane, Stephen Street and Holborn Street, contains proposals for seating at appropriate locations within these streets.
“Finally, the Council has commissioned the preparation of a street furniture strategy for O’Connell Street and Lower Knox Street. It is envisaged that the strategy will also contain proposals for seating installations at various locations.”