Council rejects claims that plans for square in Tubbercurry will negatively impact on traffic congestion
SLIGO County Council has rejected claims that their plans for Wolfe Tone Square in Tubbercurry will not ease traffic congestion in the town.
Last week, The Sligo Weekender reported that residents and local businesses were in opposition to the plan to ‘re-vamp' the Square which – if completed – will see a third of parking spaces removed.
Local feeling is that a lack of parking at the Square will see a drop in trade with drivers parking their vehicles on nearby streets will affect both the footfall and deliveries for small businesses there.
However, the Council insists these fears are misplaced and that their plan will aim to make Tubbercurry “a more appealing place to live, work and visit”.
A spokeswoman said: “Town squares are traditionally areas of congregation and meeting, and for generations have played a vital role in bringing people and communities together.
“Like many urban areas throughout Ireland however, Wolfe Tone Square has become dominated by wide streets and car parking.
“With two wide two-ways streets on either side of the Square, a disproportionate amount of space is currently attributed to the movement and parking of cars.
“Consultation during the Town Centre First process indicated particular issues within and around the Square, including a lack of adequate pedestrian crossing points to access the Square, wider streets presenting a barrier to people movement, particularly for those with mobility issues, absence of dropped kerbs for wheelchair users and buggies, the presence of clutter within the Square – overhead wires, poles etc., absence of bus shelters and bus lay-bys.
“The proposed Wolfe Tone Square Enhancement project is a significant and ambitious project which at the behest of the wider community, seeks to make Tubbercurry town more appealing as a place to live, work and visit.
“While achieving a reduction in traffic congestion is an objective of the plan, equally the re-allocation of space to prioritise the movement of people is a priority. The Square has spatial potential to become the social, environmental and economic hub of Tubbercurry through the provision of outdoor town centre space with shelter to support a number of functions including weekly markets, town events, performances, outdoor dining, promoting greater use and longer dwell time.”
The Council also addressed the issue of why the money for Wolfe Square was not better used for improving sport and leisure facilities in Tubbercurry.
The spokeswoman added: “The Tubbercurry Town Centre Plan contains a number of objectives including the development of additional sports and recreation facilities. This objective featured strongly in Community feedback.
“Proposals include the enhancement of the Community Park at Mountain Road, a mapped network of sports and recreation facilities and additional spaces for your children and teenagers to meet and spend time.
“Working in conjunction with the Tubbercurry Town Team and local sporting organisations over the coming years, the Council will seek to explore opportunities for funding and implementation of this objective and indeed other objectives contained within the Tubbercurry town centre First Plan.”