Seating at top of Parnell Street would ‘top off’ town’s public realm - Clare Echo

A CALL has been made for new seating to be installed at the top of Parnell Street in Ennis following the success of the town’s pedestrianisation.

The proposal was brought forward by Mayor of Ennis Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) at the September meeting of the Ennis Municipal District.

In a written motion, Cllr Guilfoyle asked the Executive team to investigate a new seating arrangement at the top of Parnell Street.

The proposal would see the pedestrianised section of the street end at the junction with Salt House Lane with an accessible seating arrangement.

Cllr Guilfoyle said he had been speaking with businesses and people using the street about the proposal.

He said the top of Parnell Street was a “good way up” from the bottom and that seating could provide a way to “top off” the street.

Cllr Guilfoyle also raised the location of bins at the top of the street, saying their current positioning “goes against the optics of what we’re trying to do”.

Cllr Pat Daly (FF), who seconded the motion, said the pedestrianisation of Parnell Street had been a “great success”.

He said people could now be seen sitting outside coffee shops and pubs and that additional seating would add to the street.

Deputy Mayor Cllr Mary Howard (FG) supported the proposal, describing the changes following the completion of the public realm works as “absolutely fabulous”.

She said the good weather over the summer had seen large numbers of people sitting outside and said the additional seating would form part of an age-friendly approach.

Cllr Howard suggested a modular approach to the seating, allowing it to be moved when necessary, such as when funerals are travelling up the street.

She also agreed that the bins should not be positioned in the middle of the street beside a building.

Cllr Howard said people she had spoken to had praised Ennis for being “so inclusive”.

She described the new fountain as the “best icebreaker in town”, saying people who would not normally speak to each other could interact while children played in the fountain.

Cllr Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF) welcomed the motion and said the pedestrianised area could be developed “forevermore”.

“I hope this time next year we are all sat in a bench,” she said.

Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) also supported the proposal, saying families and couples could be seen sitting in the area.

He said Parnell Street was a “real opportunity” and that the town should enhance it where possible.

Cllr O’Callaghan also referenced derelict properties in the town which are due to be transformed, saying there were “little dots we can connect”.

In a written response, Senior Executive Engineer Tom Mellett said significant seating had already been installed around Ennis town centre as part of recent public realm works.

He said this was in line with the Ennis Age Friendly Strategy and the council’s general objectives to provide resting areas around the town.

“EMD will continue to monitor the use and management of these seating areas,” he said.

Mr Mellett said any additional locations would need to take account of “all uses including access to businesses and properties”.

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