Call for more accessible parking provision in Killaloe

EFFORTS are to be made to provide greater access to the lakeside town of Killaloe, with the local authority committing to look into the possibility of providing additional parking space for those with disabilities.

The matter was raised by Councillor Tony O’Brien at the January meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District who appealed for more to be done to promote access to the lower end of the town. “This is a significant issue of concern for a lot of people in the area,” he said. “We need to take action to make sure that people are able to access the town, especially now that they are limited to a 5km for travel. I call on the council to designate a disabled parking bay at the lower end of Killaloe town. This would enable people with disabilities to have access to do business at the lower end of the town.”

The Fianna Fáil member’s area colleagues were supportive of the motion with Cathaoirleach Pat Hayes saying that an increase in the provision of accessible parking was a priority for the area. Councillors Alan O’Callaghan, Pat Burke and Joe Cooney also gave their backing to the call.

Responding to the motion, Senior Executive Engineer, Niamh Madden said the council would examine the issue.

“While there are a number of existing public accessible car parking spaces which facilitate access to the lower end of the town, the Killaloe MD will investigate the possibility over the next number of weeks of providing an additional accessible space,” she said.

Councillor O’Brien welcomed the response and urged the council to take action as quickly as possible.

It is anticipated that the issue will be looked at in the context of the forthcoming Town Enhancement and Mobility Plan for Killaloe-Ballina. The plan from Clare County Council and Tipperary County Council will facilitate a coordinated approach to public realm enhancements within Killaloe and Ballina. The plan will deal with a number of issues, including transport and mobility, place making and public realm; street furniture design, tourism, blue-green infrastructure strategy and the development proposals for identified ‘opportunity sites’.

Specific measures, designs and schemes will promote the towns’ complementarity, and create an overall focus on their joint strengths and opportunities in terms of functionality, aesthetics and the changing transport profile of the town as a result of the new Shannon crossing and Killaloe Bypass.