Residents call for creation of major on-street market in Birr

SEVERAL Birr residents made a strong call for the creation of a major on-street market in Birr, during a recent meeting.
The September meeting of community group Birr 20:20 examined an architectural drawing of proposed changes for Market Square and made several suggestions.
Seán Loughnane, Chairman of Birr 20:20, said he was delighted to see a strong show of interest from members of the public for this meeting and to see a turnout of several people from the Market Square area.
He pointed out that Birr 20:20 applied for and got a grant for €250,000, from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, to enhance the Market Square area. He said Birr 20:20 is not a decision making body, but likes to hear people's opinions about different issues and facilitate those who want to improve the town. He recalled that the enhancement of Emmet Square took place in 2014, but mistakes were made and the issue became more controversial than it should have been.
The local authority subsequently learned its lesson and when it came to the enhancement of Green Street engaged in greater consultation with local residents. Three or four residents on Green Street liaised with the County Council and the residents. There were issues with tree planting and the loss of car parking spaces but they were sorted out.
“I believe that Green Street now looks very well," said the Chairman. "It's a good job. Now I believe we should continue this good approach and listen to the opinion of the residents of the Market Square area.”
Seán handed out a concept drawing of the Market Square enhancement by the Paul Hogarth architectural firm and asked the residents their opinions about the concept drawing. The concept drawing included reduced parking, an expanded plaza area, and a better traffic control system.
Cllr John Clendennen commented that he agreed with removing the car parking spaces beside the Manchester Martyrs Monument and parallel to Main Street, “because it will make the area less hazardous. At the moment that area, in terms of the flow of traffic, is something of a free for all and we should make it safer for both pedestrians and vehicles.”
Cllr John Carroll, Secretary of Birr 20:20, went into the car parking spaces issue in detail. He pointed out that the Council did a survey of the spaces and their availability/non-availability from Monday to Saturday. “This survey showed that on every day during the week, at 11am, there were at least a couple of free parking spaces in the square, and there were at least 20 spaces available in any direction, for 70 metres, radiating out from the square. At 3pm, on any day in the week, there were at least 20 spaces available within that 70 metre area and, at the same time, there were also spaces in the square itself.”
A number of the residents present at the meeting said they didn't like the street furniture that currently exists in the square because it encourages late-night loitering and anti-social behaviour.
“Every weekend there are rows in the square,” said one of the residents, “and this expanded plaza proposed here in this concept drawing will make the situation worse. At the moment the square is attracting drunken, anti social behaviour every weekend.”
Another resident agreed. “The expanded plaza and more street furniture will encourage lads to congregate at night, drinking and messing. There was noise last Friday night which could be heard all over the town.” It was pointed out that the Gardaí had been helpful when asked to deal with the anti-social problem. It was suggested that more CCTV cameras should be installed. It was also suggested that cycle racks should replace the street furniture.
Another resident said there's no need to get rid of the parking spaces and the traffic “free for all” is not dangerous. “I have lived there for 40 years,” he said, “and I've only seen one accident.” The Chairman said the reason for that is because drivers are unsure who has the right of way and therefore slow down, which means less chance of there being an accident.
Cllr Carroll said the grant of €250,000 will be time limited and he urged the residents to form a residents' group to push the project forward. He said the Council's aspiration is to start the work early next year.
Another resident suggested holding a Market in the Square two days a week, rather than holding the current market in Marian Hall Car Park. “The Market is taking up a lot of car parking spaces in Marian Hall Car Park on Saturdays.”
It was pointed out that narrow branched trees were planted in Green Street rather than trees with spreading branches, so that they wouldn't be blocking light from the houses; and a similar tactic should be employed in Market Square. There was mixed messaging on whether trees should be planted or not as part of the Market Square enhancement.
Seán Loughnane said he liked the idea of holding a market in the square. He recalled the markets that used to be held there in the '60s and '70s.
A number of the residents said the market should be held in the square and along Castle Street as far as the Bonamh Market. “The fish seller at the Tesco roundabout could move there,” said one, "and like in Kilkenny we could use retractable canopies. We could hold the market once a week.”
It was pointed out that the Council was the body responsible for issuing the licence to run a market.
It was also suggested that the Manchester Martyrs monument should be enhanced as well, perhaps with new railings.
Brendan Kennedy of The Market Tavern said he would hold a residents' meeting in his pub to further discuss the enhancement project.
It was agreed that a Council Engineer would be present at the meeting in the pub. The meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday October 4th. All are welcome.