Public voice concerns over Castletownbere traffic plan

BY HELEN RIDDELL

A CROWD of over 140 concerned residents and business owners in Castletownbere attended a public meeting to voice their concerns over plans to remove all parking on their main street and drastically reduce spaces elsewhere.

The meeting was held to discuss the County Council’s new draft transport management plan, which has been prepared by consultants AECOM. 

Castletownbere Development Association (CDA) chairman Cian Murphy said that while people were happy there was a draft plan in place, the proposed changes to parking were of major concern.  

Under the draft plan there will be no parking permitted on main street, which will now have a one way traffic flow, and parking around the town square will be reduced from 50 to 30 places.  

Concerns were also raised that landowners and businesses who will be directly impacted by the proposed new relief road, and parking changes, have not been consulted.   

Ahead of the meeting a presentation was given of the new draft transport plan, which was unveiled at an exhibition in the town on April 10th.

Whilst the CDA will be submitting their own comments on the plan to AECOM, Cian stressed that anyone who has any concerns should also make a submission.

‘We need to show how we actually live in the town, and the impact this draft plan will have on our day to day life, and we would encourage all local residents, businesses and community organisations, as well as all those from throughout Beara who use the town on a regular basis, to have their say.  

‘It is crucial that there is a local input into the plan, and we have the chance to do this,’ he added.

The deadline for all submissions is May 25th. They can be made by e-mail to: [email protected] or posted to Eoin O’Mahony, AECOM, 1st Floor, Montrose House, Douglas Business Centre, Carrigaline Road, Douglas, Co Cork.