Councillors vote to end pedestrianisation

A SIX-month Saturday pedestrianisation plan for Ennis town centre has been abandoned after six weeks.
At a meeting of the town council on Monday evening, which was attended by a large group of Ennis traders, councillors voted six to three against the continuation of the trial after the business community cited a reduction in business on Saturdays when the streets were closed for six hours to vehicles.
Ennis town manager Ger Dollard said that it was “disappointing” that the council could not complete the trial, which would have “provided a solid base for delivering on one of the core objectives of the Ennis Town Development Plan 2008-2014, namely the pedestrianisation of O’Connell Street and Abbey Street”.
He continued, “Review mechanisms had been put in place to assess the effects of the trial on trading and consumer attitudes. However, this review will now not be possible due to the discontinuation of the trial.”
The town manager added that the council was not abandoning its objective of introducing pedestrianisation on a permanent basis, as they regard such a move as key to the enhancement of the overall shopping experience in Ennis, as well as the improved safety of pedestrians. “The purpose of the trial period was to allow an opportunity for pedestrianisation to be monitored over a short period and allow issues to be addressed. The council executive remains committed to working with the various parties to find a way to deliver on this important objective for the development of the town,” he said.
At the council meeting, Fine Gael Councillor Johnny Flynn called for the postponement of the pedestrianisation of Abbey Street and O’Connell Street until a future date. “Recognising the harsh local impact of the recession and in order to protect existing retail and other permanent, part-time and summer jobs in the town centre: that Ennis Town Council postpone Saturday pedestrianisation in the town,” he said. He pointed out that unemployment has risen three-fold in recent years in Clare. In conjunction with traders in Ennis, he undertook a survey on the impact of pedestrianisation since May.
Of 20 respondents from O’Connell Street traders, 18 (90%) said that they wanted pedestrianisation to end, with two (10%) in favour of its continuation.
Half of the traders who responded to the survey on O’Connell Street stated that they had cut employees’ hours since pedestrianisation started, to the extent that 12 staff had been effected – six had lost a half day’s work, while six had lost a full day’s work on each of the Saturdays involved. Three of the businesses surveyed had experienced a loss in turnover of 40%, with nine seeing income drop by 30%, one had seen income fall by 20% and one by 10%. Of the businesses that hadn’t cut staff hours since pedestrianisation commenced, 25% said that they would have to if pedestrianisation continued.
Of the businesses who responded from Abbey Street and Bank Place, 92% wanted pedestrianisation to discontinue while 8% had no opinion on pedestrianisation continuing or not, as they had not experienced any change in their business. 40% of traders in that area of town had reduced staff, with six employees affected – three had lost a half-day’s work and three a full day’s work. Eleven traders in Abbey Street and Bank Place had experienced a drop in income on pedestrianised Saturdays, with three losing 40%, one losing 30%, four losing 20% and one losing 10%.
None of the respondents to the survey had experienced an increase in income since pedestrianised Saturdays had begun.
90% of those surveyed in Abbey Street and Bank Place said they felt it would have a negative impact on their ability to pay rents and rates, while the figure for O’Connell Street traders was 65%.
The average loss of business on Parnell Street, which was already part-pedestrianised, was 32%, with half of traders there cutting staff hours on pedestrianised days. Three-quarters of traders on Parnell Street wanted pedestrianisation to stop.
Councillor Flynn said that it was imperative these figures were considered very carefully. “What we are looking at here is a very significant drop in income for traders for a sustained period. This is affecting people’s livelihood. We have a responsibility to help traders and staff in Ennis to maintain their jobs,” he added.
His proposal to postpone pedestrianisation was seconded by Councillor Paul O’Shea. “It is lovely to walk around Ennis when it’s pedestrianised but the bottom line here is that we are going to see more unemployment and more shops close if pedestrianisation continues,” he commented.
Councillor Frankie Neylon said that he had to admit that he had been “a great backer” of pedestrianisation. “I know now it was unsuccessful for businesses. They are the people who pay rates and support this town. They have told me and have proof that it’s not working. We were doing this trial period of pedestrianisation for six hours on Saturday, with a view to making it 24-hour in the future. If businesses are losing money in six hours, it would be much worse for 24 hours,” he added.
Councillor Mary Howard said that the drop in income of businesses had to be taken seriously. “I also believe that signage is a big issue in the success of pedestrianisation.
“There needs to be clear signage telling people approaching Ennis that part of the town is pedestrianised and directing them in an easy way to where they can park. For me, the survey results are compelling but the only thing that really matters at the end of the day are the tills and that evidence is clear,” she commented.
Councillor Michael Guilfoyle said that the council could not contribute to a fall in income or job losses. “Businesses are struggling more than ever before since pedestrianisation started on Saturdays, for whatever reason, and we have to protect local businesses,” he remarked.
Councillor Mary Coote Ryan said that the atmosphere in Ennis on pedestrianised Saturdays was “lovely”. “But if it isn’t working for businesses, if pedestrianisation is the reason for businesses having to cut staff’s hours or losing money, I stand by them and believe that it should stop.”
Councillor Brian Meaney said there was no point in stopping a trial, six weeks into it.
“I thoroughly welcome pedestrianisation and still do. We are in a trial period. Other towns have tried pedestrianisation. Some have succeeded and some haven’t. The eight week trial should be completed and then it can be reviewed,” he said.
In relation to the survey of traders, he said that an independent assessment should be undertaken.
“I’m not sure what experience people who undertook the survey have. The view is that Ennis Town Council is in an ivory tower and is oblivious to the issues.
“I have the figures, and business has declined, but I think we should continue to gather information through an experienced independent consultant who will gather reasoned and balanced information, rather than simply agreeing to postpone pedestrianisation. We should accept the difficulties for now, for the long-term good,” Councillor Meaney commented.
Councillor Peter Considine acknowledged that he had been a supporter of pedestriansation for 20 years.
“I want to see this town thriving for everyone’s sake. I wasn’t in favour of partial pedestrianisation, because I didn’t think it was enough to experience it properly. However, the Abbey Street traders survey says that no traders are in favour of pedestrianisation but I know of five who area,” he stated.
He added that part of the problem is access to the town’s streets for people not familiar with the town, especially from Kelly’s Corner to the cathedral, on pedestrianised days. He was also in favour of an independent survey to get the real picture.
“We are either sticking by the decision we want, or we’re not. If it proven to be bad for business, we will have to stop. But we also have to look at other issues affecting the success of pedestrianisation, including access, signage and parking,” he said.
Mayor Tommy Brennan added that he was prepared to go along with pedestrianisation until September, as per the eight-week trial agreement. He also called for an independent consultant to assess its impact and success.
Six councillors, Councillors Johnny Flynn, Michael Guilfoyle, Paul O’Shea, Mary Howard, Frankie Neylon, and Mary Coote-Ryan voted to postpone pedestrianisation because of its negative impact on local businesses.
The remaining three councillors, Mayor Tommy Brennan and Councillors Peter Considine and Brian Meaney, voted against the postponement of pedestrianisation and in favour of continuing it until the full eight-week trial was completed but have an independent consultant carry out a survey of its impact on businesses.