A proposal to suspend pedestrianisation on Killarney’s Plunkett Street for a one week trial period, to determine if it would ease traffic congestion, didn’t succeed at a meeting of Killarney Municipal District Council this Wednesday as a previous vote on the matter could not be overturned.
As it happens, it looked as if only two of the six councillors in attendance would have voted in favour of the trial.
Cllr Donal Grady had sought support for the week-long trial during the mid-summer period to see if it would alleviate the gridlock that causes so much frustration in the town during the busy tourist season.
“Killarney is being choked,” he remarked.
He said he would be in favour of a left-turn only for vehicles exiting from Plunkett Street, if that was what would be required.
Offering support, Cllr Maura Healy-Rae said she didn’t see a trial for a week causing any difficulties but Municipal District Manager, Angela McAllen, said there is a formal process that would have to be adhered to and the council had previously voted in favour of retaining the pedestrianisation of the street until it is reviewed at the end of next December.
The pedestrianisation was one of a number of measures put in place as part of the Safe Streets Mobility Plan during the Covid-19 emergency response and it facilitated a number of build-outs and outdoor dining spaces.
The council said feedback from businesses has been very positive and the visitor experience has been greatly enhanced by the more open and vibrant streetscape.
Additionally, the planning and design stage of a URDF town centre and street upgrade was approved in September and that allows potential for some other measures.
Cllr Brendan Cronin said the pedestrianisation of Plunkett Street has been discussed and debated over and over again and it is now deemed essential as it has transformed the street.
“There was a time when wheelchairs or buggies couldn’t pass on the footpath on one side of the street with cars double and triple parked.
“The town can’t go back to a situation where the traffic is trying to force its way out on to Main Street and tour buses are getting stuck on the turn,” said Cllr Cronin who added that surveys conducted by business organisations gave a hugely positive feedback for pedestrianisation
Cllr Niall O’Callaghan said while he has reservations about pedestrianisation, Cllr Grady’s motion was not the solution.
“We’d get absolutely buried by businesses if we did it in the middle of summer,” he said.
Mayor Niall Kelleher said if there was a benefit to be got from the trail period he’d be in favour of it, but he’s sure the answers would be the same as before.
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