'It's moving really well'

Traders find one-way system has improved footfall in Nenagh

Nenagh saw a big change in 2024 with the introduction of the one-way traffic system. Talked about for many years previously, the proposed system had become a subject of divided opinion. Tipperary Co Council introduced the plan as a means of freeing up traffic congestion and making Nenagh more pedestrian-friendly, though many in the town feared the proposed system would hinder trade.

With the arrival of Christmas, however, local traders have had time to take stock of the changes brought by the new system, and their impressions are for the most part positive.

Breda Fitzgibbon of Breo Jewellers on the Market Cross said the benefits of the one-way system could be seen from the moment it was introduced in April.

“We were all very apprehensive in the beginning,” she admitted. “We were hearing some very negative comments when the work was going on. People were complaining. But as soon as it happened, everything changed.”

Far from trade being hindered, Ms Fitzgibbon found that footfall in the town has in fact improved as a result of the changes. Customers previously had a tendency to park on the street and rush into the shop, asking the staff to hurry because they were double-parked outside.

“We're not hearing that any more," she said. “That's what I'm noticing the most. They are more relaxed because they're in the car park. Customers tell us they're delighted with it.”

Pierce Finn of Ryan's Pharmacy on Pearse St also reported being pleasantly surprised with how the new system is working, despite likewise initial scepticism.

“I think it has improved it. There were a few teething problems initially. I do think there are maybe too many pedestrian crossings on it. But on the whole, I think it is of benefit,” Mr Finn said.

“I think the bus stop should be down at the train station. It should not be where it is. But overall, I think it's worked well.

“It's probably worked better than I thought. I thought it was going to clog up the arteries outside the town, with the centre of town having no cars and the outside being fully clogged, but all the traffic is flowing quite well.”

'FOOTFALL IS BETTER'

Many traders had for years been calling for the removal of the traffic lights on the Market Cross, which was once a site of contention over frequent traffic tailbacks, while pedestrians too could often be heard complaining about the length of time they had to wait to cross the roads there.

It was a subject that took up many hours of local authority debate over the years. The removal of the traffic lights as part of the one-way system has proven a real gamechanger.

"The customers can cross the street in pleasure," Ms Fitzgibbon said. "They seem to be very pleased with it and we've noticed that footfall is better. We actually think it's moving really well."

Mr Finn agreed, though he believed the council could do a bit more about the parking situation. "There definitely has been an increase in footfall," he concurred.

"If you could have more accessible parking, I think it would be easier. I think the car parks in the town centre should be three hours only. I don't think there should be any all-day parking in the car parks in the town.

"You can have three hours of free parking and just leave it at that, and anyone who's working in town can park down in the train station. It's only a two or three-minute walk from there."

PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

The council has said the new system would be kept under review for the first 12 months. Ms Fitzgibbon did not think there would be a need to make any great changes, though she appreciated concerns that have been raised over the proximity of the pedestrian crossings outside her shop.

"Of course you'd be a bit worried about the pedestrian crossings but people aren't being careful. It's all down to people taking their time and being vigilant and mannerly on the crossings."

She appealed to drivers to slow down at the cross, and also on Mitchel St, where she said there has been an issue with motorists speeding to the end of the street. She suggested the council should also look at the Emmet Place junction with Kickham St, where motorists sometimes experience difficulty turning right with the volume of traffic coming down from the left, and another pedestrian crossing to contend with.

Mr Finn also had some reservations about the pedestrian crossings. "It is good to be able to have people walking around freely - that's the whole purpose of it. But do you need so many of them?" he asked. "I think it might be over-subscribed."

He has had a good vantage point at his shop to observe the one-way system at work between Kickham St and Pearse St. One thing that has surprised him is the number of people using the buses that pull up on the new stop outside his premises.

"From that perspective, I can see the point in having it in the town centre, even though I don't agree with it." Mr Finn said there probably is a case for providing a shelter for people waiting for buses in the rain, even though he also would not be in favour that, reasoning that the streetscape looks well as it is, and that the council's long-term goal is to move the bus stop to the railway station.

BRISK CHRISTMAS TRADE

While too soon to forecast with certainty, both traders reported that early Christmas trade in the town has been brisk.

"I'd be more positive than I was this time last year," Mr Finn said. "It's probably a bit busier and I'd say we're up a bit on last year. I would be a bit more positive than I was this time last year."

At the other end of the street, Ms Fitzgibbon encouraged people to shop local in Nenagh this Christmas.

"There's nothing they can't get here," the Breo proprietor said. "Everyone tells us that this is one of the best towns for shopping. That's what we hear all the time. People are very praiseworthy of the shops."

She said her shop attracts a huge amount of customers from around the Ballina-Killaloe area and from as far away as Portumna, Thurles and Templemore.

"People love coming here to shop and go to the coffee shops. Why put themselves under the stress of cities and traffic when they can get everything here?"

Mr Finn also drove home the shop local message. "I think in general people want to do that anyway. When you have a nice town like Nenagh, people want to keep it that way...

"You'll always have the online shopping but I think people do value the importance of having a vibrant town centre. They appreciate it."