Traders’ group voices opposition to Athenry pedestrianisation proposals

New pedestrian proposals to transform Athenry town centre have hit local businesses for six!

An economic regeneration team at County Hall has unveiled plans to “re-imagine” the town through a Market Square public realm enhancement scheme.

Six options were presented to residents and businesses last week but Athenry Traders’ Group has come out strongly against all of them.

The group, which represents 80 commercial outlets, accused Galway County Council of ignoring the needs of ratepayers.

In a statement, Athenry Traders claimed the six options are a “direct attack on the commercial viability of Athenry town centre”. Its members have vowed to “fight this agenda” to pedestrianise the town.

The Council team said it wants to re-imagine the town by “investing in quality of life and quality of experience”. The changes relate to Market Square, Davis Street and Burke’s Lane and have knock-on effects on other streets.  The objectives of the scheme, it said, is to improve the urban environment by creating public spaces for the community and visitors; link the town centre heart to key tourist sites; improve safety for vulnerable road users; and improving the permeability of the town centre for greater pedestrian circulation.

Athenry Traders met with the Council’s regeneration team last year, and made a detailed submission on the plan, but it claims it was completely ignored.

“None of the six options now given to us bear any resemblance to the basic requirements we clearly stated must be included in any improvement works to the town centre,” the group said.

The proposal by the Council and private consultants, “goes directly against our submission”, it said.

Image: One of the options presented by the County Council for the regeneration of Athenry. Davis Street and Burke’s Lane are pedestrianised (potentially only after 11am to retain access for deliveries). Parking bays in front of Supermac’s are
removed. Parking bays in front of Paddy Power are also removed to create a pedestrianised plaza.
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