Radical traffic changes mooted for nenagh

The introduction of a one-way traffic system in the centre of Nenagh is being proposed under a radical Traffic and Transportation Plan.
Over 50 traders, many of whom are concerned about the implications of the plan for their town centre businesses, attended a briefing session on the proposals in the Civic Offices on Tuesday of last week.
The key recommendations in the draft document include proposals to introduce a one-way clockwise traffic flow system in a compact area through the core of the town. This would see traffic flowing oneway up Pearse Street, starting at the AIB Bank, turning right into Mitchel Street, then turning right into Emmet Place to go up towards the Garda Station, and then right again into Kickham
Street to go back down to Pearse Street.
Removal of the traffic lights at the Market Cross is recommended to ensure the smooth flow of the new oneway system.
Traffic expert Dermot Donovan, who was commissioned by Tipperary County Council to draw up the plan, said he had not expected such a large turnout of town centre business owners at last Tuesday’s consultation meeting on the proposals. The reaction to the recommendations was mixed, some traders voicing concern that the plan did not take into accout the realities of trying to attract shoppers into the town centre, others saying it formed a good basis for the rollout of a much improved traffic system.
The introduction of the one-way system would involve the widening of the extremely narrow entry from Mitchel Street into Emmet Place, beside Grace’s shoe repairs shop. To achieve this, the council has already acquired a property on the corner of Mitchel Street/Emmet Street, which it intends to demolish. Mr Donovan said the one-way system would result in a smooth flow of traffic in the core of the town and eliminate congestion.

“We looked at Westport, which has a similar system and it works quite well... Enniscorthy is another example where you have it and its working well there even with high levels of traffic,” he said. Other recommendations contained in the draft document include leaving the existing two-way traffic flow in operation in Kenyon Street; reversing the flow of traffic on the existing oneway system on lower Silver Street; introducing restrictions to prevent lorry drivers taking shortcuts through the centre of town; making the town more friendly for cyclists and pedestrians, and, pedestrianising the lower end of O’Rahilly Street as well as sections of Abbey Lane and Friar Street.
Other recommendations include eliminating the herringbone traffic system at the Clare Street Pharmacy and adjoining retail units to create greater visibility for motorists exiting William Street into Clare Street. Mr Donovan has suggested the possibility of prohibiting traffic from turning right from Kenyon Street into Stafford Street to go up towards the livestock mart at Arrabawn Co-op. Instead, drivers travelling south down Kenyon Street would travel on past the junction to a planned expanded roundabout at the entrance to the
railway station, turning around it to come back up and turn left into Stafford
Street.
A new roundabout at the junction in front of the courthouse and Sheahan’s
Hardware store is also proposed to ease traffic flows, particularly at school times.
Given projections for increased traffic volumes in the years ahead, Mr Donovan said the town also needs to look longterm at securing a site in the town centre for a multi-storey carpark to cater for up to 500 vehicles. He said Nenagh lacked sufficient orbital routes to divert traffic away from the town core. He instanced the congestion caused by the Pearse Street/McDonagh Street junction, suggesting the creation of a new “cross-connection” route from Summerhill to the old Dublin Road.
Moves were needed to eliminate traffic jams at school times, particularly outside the the CBS at Summerhill. This would involved the elimination of some on-street parking in that locality, and Mr Donovan suggested that the council look at acquiring the grounds of the Military Barracks as a drop-off and pick-up location for parents driving children to and from the Christian Brothers schools.
He is also proposing the introduction of signs on the streets informing drivers of the amount of spaces available in town centre carparks.
Under the plans, one of the bus stops at Kickham Street would be moved to Pearse Street. Some traders suggested that all bus stops be relocated to the
Railway Station to ease traffic flows in the town centre. However, traders in Kickham Street who say they depend on bus passengers are opposed to such
a move.
In response to concerns that the proposed traffic changes were anti-business, Mr Donovan said that to the forefront of his mind was drawing up a traffic plan that would help business.
“I think the [new] system would make a more pleasant environment.” He said the changes could be introduced for a trial period to see how they worked.
The council’s Nenagh District Administrator, Rosemary Joyce, said the traffic and transportation plan was only one of a number of measures that the local authority was proposing to improve conditions for business. She revealed that the council intended setting up a town centre forum in Nenagh and eight other towns in the county in the near future with the aim of regenerating town centres.
Ms Joyce said it was wonderful that so many traders had turned up to the
consultation meeting to make their views known on the plan.
A Silver Street trader, Theresa Ryan, said business for shops in that street had been badly hit since the council introduced a one-way system on the lower end of the street several years ago.
Chamber of Commerce President Denis Finnerty said it was evident from the consultation meeting that the council was now realising that the business sector in the town centre formed the heart and soul of the town. He hoped this hearlded a new era of cooperation between the local authority and the business sector, and offered the assistance of the chamber in relation to any submissions to be made in regard to the traffic plan.
Peter Ward, who has been in business in Kenyon Street for 33 years, said the plan had given traders something to think about. However, he felt that something crucial was missing from the plan – suggestions to enhance the
economy of a town core currently occupied by a very challenged business
sector.
Submissions on the Traffic and Transportation Plan can be made to Rosemary Joyce in the council by June 23rd.