Decision at last on much-debated Bullring traffic direction

AFTER 18 months of controversy and complaint, members of Wexford Borough District Council have finally decided that the current one-way traffic system through the Bullring, should become permanent.

Councillors who previously voted for a trial reversal of the traffic flow, did a U-turn after receiving a letter from Wexford Retail Group and approaches from local businesses opposed to the three-month experiment, including Clayton Whites Hotel.

They unanimously decided to abandon the trial reversal which would have allowed traffic to drive from Cornmarket to the Quays, and instead to stick with the existing direction from the Quays to Cornmarket.

The original two-way traffic system in the Bullring was controversially altered, without prior consultation, to facilitate refurbishment work on the Borough District building in 2019 and never re-instated, with engineers and officials later advising that pedestrians would be put at risk if it was restored.

The trial reversal was proposed and agreed, by a majority vote of the Council, after local businesses complained about a reported 30% reduction in turnover and the danger of job losses, from the impact of the current oneway system.

The reversal was due to start in early February and postponed due to non-essential works not being allowed during Covid Level 5 restrictions, but in the meantime, the dawning reality of the plan, with no left turn from Common Quay Street into Key West apartments and businesses, created mounting opposition from many of the same businesses which had complained about the existing one-way system.

In the absence of a return to twoway traffic which was the preferred option of businesses and some councillors, the existing direction was considered the next best solution.

The proposal to make it permanent will be included in the latest draft byelaws which are due to go out to public consultation.

According to Council Director of Services and Assistant Chief Executive Tony Larkin, this will pave the way for a plan by the local authority to enhance the public realm around Abbey Street, Cornmarket and the Bullring, linking to the Main Street, to provide greater civic amenity and boost business.

The Thomas Moore Tavern bar and restaurant in Cornmarket has had discussions with the Council with a view to creating an outdoor space, which would be contingent on a permanent one-way system.

‘We would like to do civic enhancement works similar to the Main Street with a refurbishment project in the Arts Centre area, sweeping around to Whites Hotel, and linking with the Main Street and Cornmarket down to the quays’, said Mr. Larkin, adding that Engineer Sean Kavanagh has done a considerable amount of work on the proposal.

Preliminary plans will be brought to councillors for their opinion and funding will be sought with a view to having work begin in 2022.