Proposal to pedestrianise busy Enniscorthy street
COUNCILLOR John O’Rourke has proposed that Rafter St in Enniscorthy be pedestrianised completely on Saturdays.
During the Fleadh Fringe event that saw a range of people compete in a busking competition in the centre of the town in Market Square, Cllr O’ Rourke saw the need for pedestrianisation to increase footfall for events and surrounding businesses without the risk from traffic.
“The busking competition was absolutely brilliant, but during the event Rafter St was left open and I am asking if we can review the by-laws and close Rafter St completely on Saturdays. While the busking was going on cars were coming up and down Rafter St and spectators were doing their best trying to get out of the way and it was taking from the whole experience of the event if I am being honest,” he said.
Cllr O’Rourke believes closing the street to traffic will create more footfall into surrounding shops and boost the economy of the town and make it more appealing for development opportunities.
The flow of traffic along the street and the centre of the town has been discussed for a significant number of years with little action. In 2011, local businesses asked for an electronically controlled bollard to block off Rafter St between 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m, but was rejected by councillors for being too expensive.
And although there was strong support from councillors to predestrianise Market Square, Rafter Street, Weafer Street and Slaney Street in 2020, local businesses were not in agreement with the idea.
Cllr Jackser Owens pointed out that the Murphy Floods site also needs attention in order to uplift the image of the town.
“Someone needs to clean up Murphy Floods – it is a disgrace. There are trees coming over onto the road. I know it takes time to develop, but in the meantime it needs to be tended to. It is an eyesore in the middle of the town,” he said.
“Enniscorthy needs to become more attractive if it wants a Penneys,” he added.