Residents distressed' by Bridgewater traffic

Arklow Town Council acted quickly last week to assuage Ferrybank residents choked by Bridgewater Centre traffic, extending the double yellow lines of both sides of the Dublin Road to ease the congestion.But residents are looking for more action, last week's town council meeting was told.

Arklow Town Council acted quickly last week to assuage Ferrybank residents choked by Bridgewater Centre traffic, extending the double yellow lines of both sides of the Dublin Road to ease the congestion.

But residents are looking for more action, last week's town council meeting was told.

Councillor Donal O'Sullivan said some residents were very, very, very irate' at shoppers parking in neighbouring streets and that parking regulations and enforcement should be extended onto Ferrybank.

We have to extend our traffic management beyond the bridge,' he said.

He said Seaview Avenue should be residents' parking only. But he said a balance needed to be struck between parking restrictions and resident amenity, especially on Ferrybank, where the double yellow lines mean many reisdents can't park outside their own houses.

You have to remember that people live on Ferrybank and we want them to continue living on Ferrybank.'

The council also received two letters from local residents angry at the state of the traffic situation last weekend.

One Marina Village resident wrote that she was extremely distressed' to see cars exiting the Bridgewater car park being directed into Marina Village before turning back along North Quay to the main roundabout belching carbon monoxide outside our homes'.

Liam Keogh and Declan Fitzgerald from the Ferrybank Residents Association wrote that vehicles parking on the footpath, especially near the corner of Ferrybank and Stringer's Lane were a life threatening danger'.

This results in vehicles leaving Stringer's Lane having no field of vision...from either Templerainey or Bridge Street directions.'

Cllr Pat Fitzgerald said there is going to be someone killed there' one day.

Town Clerk Des Nichols said Bridgewater Centre management said they would not divert car park traffic through Marina Village in future.

Mr Nichols said the council was also considering installing barriers at the swimming pool car park, and opening up a space near the leisure centre for Bridgewater staff parking.

He said further parking enforcement on Ferrybank during peak weekend shopping times wouldn't be possible without extra funding to pay for traffic wardens.

Wicklow People