This article is from page 4 of the 2010-01-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
THE success of pedestrianisation in Ennis hinges on problems regarding town centre parking being properly recognized and addressed, according to the Chairman of the O’Connell Street Trader’s Association.
Gearoid Mannion was commenting last night on Ennis Town Council’s proposal to introduce Saturday pe- destrianisation in Ennis.
Mr Mannion said that it is time for the council to recognize that there is a problem with parking in Ennis.
“Come into Ennis on any busy day
and you can’t get parking. The dogs on the street know there is a prob- lems with parking in Ennis but the council don’t believe it is a problem,” he said.
Mr Mannion added, “The success of pedestrianisation be it on a Saturday or everyday does hinge on parking.”
He explained that a balance also had to be struck between the views of the public, who seemed broadly supportive of the proposal, and those of a “significant minority” of retail- ers who have seen their business suf- fer on days when pedestrianisation 1s in place.
Members of Ennis Chamber of Commerce met last night to discuss the proposal ahead of a meeting with council officials today.
Town Clerk Eddie Power told the January meeting of Ennis Town Council that a report on pedestria- nisation would be presented at the council’s next meeting in February.
Mr Power said the report would be presented along with a recommenda- tion to pedestrianise Ennis’ streets on Saturdays. The council is also expected to appeal to the public to ensure that cars are not left parked on streets during the hours of pedes-
Wet-DIpecrIN(O)0e
The council is also expected to in- stall permanent electronic barriers in order to close the streets to vehicular nee BeElen
The barriers will be controlled by keys that will be available to council staff, gardai and other members of the emergency services.
Councillors have said that a system should be in place to allow for the manual removal of barriers in the event of a serious emergency.
There have also been calls for free parking to be introduced on the same days as pedestrianisation.