An independent member of Mayo County Council has called for the development of at least four free bus parking spaces in Claremorris and Ballinrobe to facilitate and encourage passing tourist traffic to stop in the towns.
According to Cllr Richard Finn this would aid the rejuvenation of both town centres at a time when town centre rejuvenation is such a “hot potato”.
Cllr Finn made the point at Wednesday’s local electoral area committee that Claremorris is situated adjacent to the N17, one of the busiest routes in the country, and free bus parking spaces would encourage tourism traffic to stop in the town and boost the local economy.
He added that Ballinrobe was another important tourism destination, especially with its proximity to Cong, and any additional footfall into the town would be greatly welcomed by local businesses.
Ballinrobe councillor Michael Burke raised the issue of private buses being prohibited from using CIE bus stops in the town, despite them being empty for most of the day, saying: “It seems bizarre. There is such an amount of space taken up outside businesses and a private house, yet if someone comes along with 10 or 16 elderly people they can’t park there.”
