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Representing ‘Save Tralee’ at the meeting on Thursday night were, from left: Dick Boyle, Heather O’Sullivan and Eddie Barrett. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
WORK on the two-way Denny Street plan in Tralee town centre will not commence until the Council are finished deliberating on traders’ areas of concern.
Around 60 traders and members of the public attended the second ‘Save Tralee’ meeting in as many weeks in the Grand Hotel on Thursday night.
A response from the council can be expected after the council meets next Wednesday morning on six key issues for traders, with the loss of 66 car spaces on Denny Street being the most important issue to them.
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Councillors present last night were, Jim Finucane, Terry O’Brien, Pat McCarthy and Graham Spring. Travelling down from Dublin, Michael Healy Rae was the only TD at the meeting.
Norma Foley was there briefly at the beginning and Saoirse Ferris and Pa Daly had prior engagements so could not be present. Sam Locke was also unable to attend.
Representing ‘Save Tralee’ at the top table were businesspeople, Dick Boyle, Heather O’Sullivan and Eddie Barrett.
Cllr Jim Finucane was confident that progress was being made on the key areas of concern and stressed that attractiveness of the town was vital for bringing in outside investment.
On the removal of six ‘blue’ disabled spots, Cllr Terry O’Brien said “I don’t think that’s a runner. Those parking bays are not an issue they will be replaced”. He added “abuse of the disabled parking bays is the biggest problem”.
Michael Healy Rae had the majority of those attending on his side when he asked “can anyone say you get the same out of your council as they do in Killarney?” and “the people of Tralee deserve what they get in Killarney”.
To this Jim Finucane jokingly replied “he’s obviously running a candidate in Tralee” which drew some laughter.
The issue around the removal of parking cones in St John’s Park by the council was discussed. A resident of St John’s Park asked Terry O’Brien to give them a guarantee that the cones won’t be taken again. Cllr O’Brien responded “cones were taken off the road in case someone falls over and sues the council”.
A number of topics were discussed such as the attractiveness of the town and how Tralee’s historical value was not being maximised.
It was also revealed that the new Lidl store, proposed for the former Heiton Buckley site, would bring new 131 car spaces on Edward Street.
