Businesses face impact of Killarney’s revamp work

MAJOR work on the busiest street in Killarney in the run-up to Christmas could lead to serious disruption, traders claimed yesterday.

The local town council is to close Main Street from the end of this month until December 1 to give the street a €400,000 facelift that will include partial pedestrianisation and a one-way traffic system.

But, traders fear it will lead to a loss of business and keep people away from the area to the detriment of local businesses.

“I’m in favour of refurbishment, but am certainly not in favour of a one-way system, which was a complete failure when tried in the past. Traffic backed up all over the place,” said pharmacist Liam Sheahan.

’I’m disappointed that the council is closing the street. Refurbishment was carried out in Main Street in the past, without having to close the whole street. Closingit will definitely have a negative effect on business.’

However, town engineer David Doyle said they would avoid disruption as much as possible.

There would also be more traffic lights working at junctions to help traffic flow, he said.

Independent Cllr Michael Courtney said ratepayers should be compensated for loss of business during the closure.

’Traders in Killarney town are already suffering. Out-of-town supermarkets can offer free parking, but parking charges are destroying business for town traders,’ he said.

’There are an awful lot of shops closed in the town and we should be trying to help traders in the town rather than making life more difficult for them.’

Independent Cllr Niall O’Callaghan, who said he had reservations about the closure, suggested the work be done in sections.

Deliveries should also be allowed to be made to shops and every effort should be made to ensure people got into and out of Main Street as quickly as possible, he added.

South Kerry Independent Alliance Cllr Michael Gleeson said while there would inevitably be some inconvenience, the end result would be a greatly enhanced street in the heart of Killarney.

“We must ensure that our town is welcoming and facilitating for pedestrians,” he said.

According to the council, the plan will make the street more pedestrian-friendly and will provide for a single carriageway, one-way traffic system.

Parking will not be allowed on the street and there will be a left turn only from New Street.

Footpaths will be widened and paved with limestone and there will be granite paving on the street. Flood-lighting and street furniture will also be provided as part of the extensive facelift.

All previous attempts to introduce pedestrianisation to Main Street met with objections, despite claims by senior council officials that pedestrianisation would benefit business in the long-term and add to the attractiveness of Killarney town centre.

A €230,000 grant is being provided by the Department of the Environment for the project, under the urban renewal scheme. This money has to be spent this year.