Resolution reached in Ballaghaderreen Public Realm dispute
A section of the crowd at a public rally held in Ballaghaderreen earlier this year.
A resolution has been reached between Roscommon County Council and local residents and business people in Ballaghaderreen in the on-going dispute over the public realm scheme.
The dispute has been on-going since early March over fears that the council’s public realm plan to reconfigure The Square will decimate trade and make it very difficult for vehicles to navigate the town with daily protests being held and work stopping on the project.
Denis Kelly MIPI (DK Consulting) Ballaghaderreen Public Realm Scheme Mediator announced this morning (Tuesday) that an agreement has been reached and stated: "As the agreed mediator for the parties in relation to resolving the concerns raised in respect of the approved Ballaghaderreen Public Realm Scheme, I can confirm that, following positive collaborative engagement between Roscommon County Council, Representatives of the Ballaghaderreen Business and Community Group and Councillors Frain and Callaghan representing the Elected Members of Boyle Municipal District, a resolution framework has been agreed.
"The framework retains the essential essence of the public realm/ active travel/ public space ethos of the scheme whilst also providing for increased accessibility and parking for Ballaghaderreen. Arising from this, Roscommon County Council will now prepare and publish a Part 8 Local Authority Own Development application for a Carparking Scheme consisting of a new car park in ‘The Plots’, together with the provision of additional parking at the eastern area of The Square.
"I am delighted that the engagement by all parties has been so positive and solution focused. I would like to thank all of the parties and individuals involved in the mediation process for their time commitment, hard work, dedication and willingness to explore options which has led to this positive outcome.
"I look forward to the completion of the Ballaghaderreen Public Realm Works and to the progression of the Car Parking Scheme. This process has re-established positive engagement between the parties, on these schemes and many more hugely beneficial projects planned for the town over the coming months and years."
