A GROUP of retailers in Killarney town has complained that its views are being ignored following confirmation that Main Street will be closed to traffic at weekends this summer.
The Killarney Town Centre Retail Action Group said that decision, combined with the road works at Rock Road during July, will lead to traffic chaos and a negative experience for visitors and locals.
Main Street will be closed to traffic from 11.00am on Saturdays to 8.00am on Mondays from July 10 as part of the Safe Streets programme and the closure will extend to the Tuesday morning on the August bank holiday weekend.
“We also feel the streets closure will lead to excessive anti-social behaviour and a loss of trade to certain types of business due to lack of access,” the group said in a statement issued to KillarneyToday.com.
Slating what it termed the hypocrisy of recent statements on the issue, the traders’ group has extended a warm welcome to Bird’s Amusements who will be operating at the Fair Hill car park this summer but called on Killarney Municipal District Council to solve the parking situation in Killarney.
“We have seen the widespread removal of parking spaces throughout the town over the last number of years and much larger and more dangerous congregations of people on Main Street and at the Beech Road car park as recent as last weekend,” the statement read.
They said, however, that Birds Amusements will bring a much-needed family atmosphere to Killarney town centre which is the type of clientele they want to attract.
The traders asked the council to consider setting up temporary parking sites similar to what happens when the Munster Final or and large events are held in the town.
The statement was issued by William Sheahan and Denis O’Neill and the Killarney Town Centre Retail Action Group comprises:
College Street
John Lynch, Phonesavers, Phone Dealz, Owen Casey, Casey TV & Electrical, Geraldine and Terence Casey, The Dungeon Bookshop.
High Street
Denis Cronin, Cronin’s Butchers, Denis and Carol Hartnett, Foley’s Restaurant, David O’Sullivan, O’Sullivan Cycles, Elizabeth and Veronica Lyne, Lynes of Killarney, Frank Coffey, Frank Coffey Shoes, Flor McCarthy, Star Seafoods, Ian Trant, Sewell’s Pharmacy, Norma Doherty, store owner and landlord, Niall O’Sullivan, Killarney Carpet and Furniture Centre, Maria and Grainne O’Sullivan, Who’s 4 Shoes?, Michael O’Shea, O’Shea’s Tyres. Sean O’Donoghue, The Blackthorn Gift Shop, Petit Delice,
Main Street
Ann O’Shea, Killarney Hair Studio, Alan O’Sullivan, Der O’Sullivan’s, Catherine Dero. Dero’s Tours, John Hurley, landlord, Liam and William Sheahan, Sheahan’s Pharmacy, Moolan O’Neill, Orchid Day Spa, Old Market Lane, Tim and Donal Brosnan, The Handy Stores, Kenmare Place
Plunkett Street Dawn and Michael Spogler, Spoglers, Bohereencaoel, Denis O’Neill, O’Neills of Killarney, Eoin Reen, Reen’s Pharmacy, Mike O’Leary, O’Leary’s Electrical, Rima Nica, The White Heather Florist, Sarah Dineen, Caragh Jewellers.
New Street Fiona O’Sullivan, O’Sullivan’s Outdoor
