Market St Closure

It appears that Market St may be closed for longer than originally thought. Initially, it was hoped that the main digs and associated works, which started on the 19th of January, would be substantially complete within a few days. it appears however, that during the dig some archaelogical remains were found and work has come to a halt while this is being investigated.

The road was to be closed to through traffic for approx. 3 weeks, with limited local access for deliveries and parking. With the new and uncertain date for completion, traders are rightly worried that the lack of traffic and the large area fenced off will make retailing from this location harder than it already is. Many local businesses (ourselves included) who use the extensive car-parking off Constitution Lane and Market St itself are unable to access this space for the foreseeable future.

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The Spire comes to Clonmel

This recently erected pole at Market St/Constitution Lane has caused many people to ask what it is for. Suggestions have included a monument, similar to The Spire on O'Connell St, Dublin! The truth is, as always, more mundane. It is a pole for the erection of CCTV cameras in this area. Expect to see similar construction in other areas of Clonmel in the near future.

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Road Works

It appears that despite there being little monies in the coffers, the Borough Council are determined to spend whatever they have before the year is through. In the middle of the Christmas shopping period, when already hard-pressed retailers are trying any method possible to shift stock to a public afraid to spend money, both Market St and Parnell St traders have to endure enormous disruption due to road works. It seems that an upgrade of the sewerage system could not be done at any other time of year!
Yesterday, no traffic was allowed on Market St. As this is an integral part of the concentric one-way system we have in Clonmel, this caused congestion all over town. More importantly, it seriously impacted on the traders on Market St and Parnell St, which is fed by Market St.
Although pedestrian traffic is allowed, behind 2 metre high palisade fencing, it is not a safe environment for shoppers. Excavators, mini-cranes, dumpers, jack-hammers, con-saws all made themselves seen and heard. Many people chose not to enter the street at all.
The Borough Council state that this work will continue for most of January, so any chance these traders have of a post-Christmas sale will be seriously diminished. The economic environment is bad enough at the moment, without this added burden to traders.
Surely the experts in the Borough Council could have scheduled this work for another time of year, when the disruption and subsequent congestion elsewhere would not have had such a severe economic impact. They obviously do not think commercially, except when it comes to collection of Business Rates, demands for which will land on trader’s doormats early in the New Year. I hope that all the traders who receive one will be in business next year!

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