BANDON’S weekly Farmers’ Market could be on the move in a bid to free up Ballymodan car park.

Some councillors have suggested moving the market to the other side of the town at the pedestrianised area on Bridge Lane, freeing up the car park for shoppers on Saturday.

The issue came up for discussion at a meeting of Bandon Kinsale Municipal District when Cllr Alan Coleman (Ind) asked if Cork County Council is considering moving it.

‘The market takes up the car park for most of each Saturday and this is really needed to accommodate people shopping in the town,’ said Cllr Coleman, who also pointed out that under new planned byelaws a two-hour time limit will be applied to parking there.

Cllr Ann Bambury (SD) said Bridge Lane would be a suitable alternative to Ballymodan car park and it could be closed to traffic for a couple of hours each Saturday.

She said it would also encourage people to shop at the southern end of the town.

Municipal district officer Brian Dunne said he would look into the matter.

Councillors were also told that they will be briefed at next month’s meeting about the new byelaws being introduced for four council-owned car parks in the town.

Improvements to the Old Cork Road were also welcomed as senior executive engineer Richard Cahill said that three raised tables for pedestrian have been installed which he said is slowing down traffic and making it safer pedestrians.

Cllr Bambury asked if a yellow box junction could be installed outside Ho Kee Chinese Restaurant on Sean Hales Place.

She also commented on the flowers and soft landscaping on the approach to the town which she was second to none.

Padraig Barrett, manager of Bandon Kinsale Municipal District said they have been contacted by a number of property owners in relation to their call to seek land within the town centre for extra car park spaces. He said they are making submissions ahead of the closing date on June 30th.

Proposed sites should be capable of accommodating 15 or more car parking spaces and be suitable for short to medium term use. Both hardstanding and undeveloped sites will be considered subject to their suitability.