Kerry County Council representatives, Cllr. Bobby O’Connell and Cllr. Danny Healy-Rae rarely walk on the same side of any street. However, they find themselves on opposite sides again on the proposals to have Castleisland’s Church Street turned into a one-way system.
Cllr. O’Connell claims that the proposals will be implemented on a trial basis anyway and that a decision will only be made in full consultation with the residents and business people on the street.
The last Bottle-neck
“The people of the street made representations to me on the matter. It’s the last bottle-neck in town and if we can sort it out by a short experiment then, I think, we’ll have done a great day’s work. We’ve had a one-way system from time-to-time and it seemed to work well,” said Cllr. O’Connell.
On the other hand, Cllr. Healy-Rae claims that the business people on the street are totally opposed to the measure:
“I think a one-way system there is going to put the viability of the businesses on the street at risk. The proposal is not taking the people of Scartaglin and the surrounding areas into consideration either. Are you telling me that anyone driving in from those areas are going to be told to bypass this street and all the business on it when they’re on their way into town. The residents and business people there are after putting down an awful winter with the street torn up with the re-surfacing work. I’m completely opposed to the motion put down by Cllr. O’Connell at last Wednesday’s Killarney area meeting at the Town Hall,’ said Cllr. Healy-Rae.
Level of Activity
Cllr. O’Connell also points out the level of activity on the street and claims that it is one of the busiest in town.
“If you look at the traffic there. We have the church, two of the big, second level schools, the community centre, the funeral home and Garvey’s and ALDI supermarkets not to mention a string of businesses the length of the street. This will be done by consultation only and the people there will decide which option they prefer,” said Cllr. O’Connell on Friday afternoon.
