Public realm plan revealed
COUNCILLORS have welcomed a vision of a future Sligo presented by BDP consultants at last week’s meeting of Sligo Municipal District.
Councillor Sinead Maguire said she thought the proposals were very exciting, “particularly Stephen Street and the waterfront area” which she said was under utilised.
The plan includes several city centre streets re-landscaped, often with either reduced parking or parking spaces eliminated altogether such as on Market Cross and Old Market Street.
“Any reduction in car parking is always going to be met with resistance. It won’t be plain sailing. There’s a dearth of resting places and public seating around town,” she told the consultant Mehron Kirk, urging him to “be as inventive as possible.”
Councillor Chris MacManus said any plan that removed vehicles opened up the town better for pedestrians, which would increase footfall and be “good for our citizens.” “There will be hard conversations to be had, that’s one of the things I would be concerned would slow down the process,” he said.
Councillor Marie Casserly said it was “hugely ambitious and exciting”. She said engaging with the public on the plans was vitally important, as did Councillor Declan Bree.
He said the plan further reduced parking in Market Cross which would be resisted.
Cllr Bree welcomed the fact that the consultants were recommending a single lane of traffic be retained on O’Connell Street, which he said the councillors had called for before: “That’s certainly a clap on the back for the elected representatives at the time,” he said.
Mayor of Sligo Municipal District Cllr Hubert Keaney said the success of the plan would depend on how well the Council does with doing up O’Connell Street. Head of planning Frank Moylan said they’d be using the plan to influence upcoming design plans for the city centre.