By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District meeting
Members of Enniscorthy Municipal District held the October meeting in the Presentation Centre today where they approved by 4 votes to 2 to proceed with the proposed site layout plan known as the Murphy Floods project which will provide 28 ‘temporary’ car parking spaces in the town centre.
The plan was presented to the meeting by David Whitty from the Special Projects department at Wexford County Council. It comprises of 28 car parking spaces – three are accessible – and includes a realm comprising of bench seating, planter boxes and an embankment with planted vegetation. A 2.8metre flight of steps will take pedestrians to and from Market Square.
The meeting was not without its tense moments. Cllrs Pat Kehoe and Cathal Byrne called for extra car park spaces – suggesting 50 spaces – while calling for the elimination of the realm and adjustments to the path on Irish Street and viewed the situation as “pedestrians verses visitors” and felt that car parking was priority!
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy was critical of the hoarding and claimed it “allows for anti-social behaviour. I don’t like it” and she asked if there are any EV charging points in the plan? She was told “No”!
Cllr Jackser Owens talked about taking out 43 car spaces in Market Square under the Town First plan, but Mr Whitty pointed out that the 28 car parking spaces on the Murphy Floods site would cancel the 28 spaces being taken away from Market Square. He also said that the loss of 43 car parking spaces applied to the entire town under the Town First project!
Roads Engineer Neil Dempsey said that car parking wasn’t a problem in Enniscorthy town centre pointing out that most car parks are never full!
Cllr Owens also complained that there were no toilets in the town centre, but he was reminded that that was for another day!
Director of Services Carolyne Godkin pointed out that “this is a temporary car park, but it could be there for a number of years.” Regards the timeline Ms Godkin said there is the removal of rubble, a contractor must be sourced, there is no issue with funding, the Part VIII has been passed, but the plan is to keep it simple and cost effective. She doesn’t expect a start before Christmas!
Ms Godkin reminded the members that this was the plan that they voted for! She urged them to move ahead and get spaces up and running as soon as possible.
Cllr John O’Rourke proposed and Cllr Murphy seconded to go ahead with the original plan. Cllr Pat Kehoe and Cathal Byrne disagreed with the public realms. Cathaoirleach Aidan Browne, Cllrs John O’Rourke, Jackser Owens and Barbara-Anne Murphy voted for the plan, Cllrs Pat Kehoe and Cathal Byrne were against.
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