The residents of Michael Street in Kilkenny city have taken it upon themselves to carry out their own research into what people would like to see done to better their area.
In doing so they carried out a survey of the residents and discovered that 81 per cent of the people living on Michael Street want to see a one-way system going towards John Street. They also want to see the demolition of the handball alley and the introduction of cycle lanes. However, they are adamant that works do not commence until consultation with residents has taken place.
Cllr Andrew Mc Guinness asked the borough council officials that they would honour this request.
Senior engineer Kieran Fitzgerald told the members that the local authority brought forward a part 8 to carry out improvements to provoke a response from the residents.
“It is a consultation process as there are many difficulties in the area. We welcome the survey and we will examine the results. We have spoken to the residents’ committee and we’ve published a proposal. We are not compromising on safety.”
One of the main issues and difficulties facing the local authority is the location of a school in the area which is posing serious traffic problems at school drop-off and pick-up times.
There is also the additional problem of workers leaving their cars parked there in the morning and not returning to them until the evening after work.
Cllr Sean O’ hArgain said it could well be a matter of life and death if an ambulance was needed in the area at the times of heavy traffic congestion.
“There are many elderly residents in this area and ambulance access is important. A permit system for residents is welcome but it cannot happen without the inner relief road,” he added.
Cllr Michael Lanigan added that the street is an exceptionally difficult one to work with, as it is so long and narrow and the fact that there is a school on it.
“The school is going to be a huge issue with the set down problems - which are a problem across the county. Everybody thinks that they can do what they want to do at the time they want to do it.”
Mr Fitzgerald said that the local authority would examine the proposals put forward by the residents. He pointed out that the school was a protected structure.
“There are lots of issues to go through and I couldn’t put a time limit on how long it is going to take to iron them all out. People are coming from all directions. A one-way system will have a knock-on effect for accessing John’s Green and Green’s Bridge.”
Cllr John Coonan proposed that a meeting take place with the residents, the school representatives, and the council, in a bid to put forward concerns and possibly find a way forward,
“There are serious traffic problems in the area and it beholds everyone to get together and resolve issues. A report should then be brought back to the members at a meeting,” he added.
