New image for four Wexford towns?

By Dan Walsh

Four Wexford towns – Enniscorthy, Gorey, New Ross and Kilmore Quay – are included in the new Streetscapes Enhancement Scheme and are set to benefit from new €7 million funding. But will the scheme destroy the individual character of all four towns?

Enniscorthy-based Deputy Paul Kehoe told WexfordLocal.com; “This unique initiative is about making our rural towns and villages more attractive and welcoming places for locals and visitors alike.

“Whether it’s painting buildings in vibrant colours, upgrading shop fronts or installing canopies or street furniture –this fund will provide a welcome boost to rural communities the length and breadth of the country.

“We all know that even the most modest of improvements to our buildings and streetscapes can make a huge difference.

“And so over the coming weeks, Wexford County Council will work closely with businesses and property owners to give our towns and villages the facelift they deserve.”

“If you are a business or property owner in any of the four towns and villages selected, I encourage you to contact the local authority for details on how to apply.

“I have no doubt the projects funded this initiative will make a huge difference to our rural towns and villages and, most importantly, the families who live there.”

The Streetscape Enhancement Initiative is a key part of Our Rural Future and is designed to make rural towns and villages more attractive places to live, work and visit.

Under the scheme, property owners will be provided with funding to improve the facades of their buildings, carry out artwork and install features such as canopies and street furniture.

The types of projects to be supported include: strategic collaboration between property owners to paint buildings or shopfronts in vibrant colours; commissioning of murals in towns and villages; upgrade or restoration of historic / traditional shopfronts; provision of street planting, shrubbery, trees and flowers boxes; illumination and lighting of architectural features; installation of canopies and street furniture, and decluttering of streetscapes with removal of unnecessary signs / wires.