Petition set up as protests continue against €8m Strokestown public realm scheme

A group of concerned residents and businesses in Strokestown opposed to the €8m public realm enhancement plan for the town are now staging daily protests outside the county council headquarters in Roscommon Town.

The initial protest took place in Strokestown last Sunday to raise concerns over what residents fear will be a major reduction of parking in the middle of the town if the planned works go ahead.  

More than two hundred people turned out to express their dissatisfaction that the public realm enhancement plan that received part 8 planning approval was altered to include only nine additional parking spaces in Strokestown.  

If the plan proceeds, there are fears that parking in the town could be restricted by up to 90% against current levels. Local people believe this will be detrimental to residents, local businesses and street traders, leading directly to business closures and job losses.

Daily demonstrations outside the county council headquarters in Roscommon Town, which began yesterday, Tuesday, are now set to continue for the foreseeable future. 

A petition which has already gathered hundreds of signatures will also be handed into the council.

Local people fear the public realm plan will also have a disproportionate effect on the most vulnerable, the elderly and physically disabled in the community.

They believe the plan would strike a “death knell” for the town’s ability to host major events such as this year's Connacht Fleadh as well as more regular events like the agricultural show.

The protesters insist that the investment is needed in Strokestown but is being used “in the wrong way”. They hope that by making a last minute appeal to Roscommon County Council, the plan could go ahead with some “common sense changes”.