Market Lane traders now being impacted by work delay

Market Lane traders now being impacted by work delay

22 May 2019

TRADERS in Market Lane and Market Street are also feeling the impact of the projected delay in completing the public realm scheme.

John Wilson reported a noticeable decrease in the number of shoppers in the Irish Street car park since work on the project began, with businesses across the town feeling the impact of the delay.

“There are largely only business people using the car park and I believe that when people arrive into the town and see the barriers and workmen in Irish Street they are not stopping and going elsewhere,” he continued.

“Those customers who continue to come me are having to make a major detour to get here and what is most irritating is that no one has been to any of the businesses to explain the delay. Surely more can be done to improve Irish Street traffic flow and access to the car park?”

Mr Wilson also pointed to the increase in the number of vehicles using Fountain Street which he described as “chock-o-bloc at times.”

He continued: ”This hole thing is so frustrating. We were told the work would be completed by the end of March, but it’s now the end of June. It seems to be excuse after excuse and there is no consultation, with no one coming to tell us what is happening.

“They need to finish this job, tell us what’s going on and when two-way traffic will be returned to Irish Street.

“We are all trying to get customers into our shops but those in charge of the scheme are not playing ball with us. What about introducing free parking for an hour to try and help us in some way?”

Market Street businessman Paul McCartan said it was clear that the work in Irish Street has had an impact on traders across Downpatrick.

He said: “I feel for the traders in Irish Street and what they have had to put up with. This particular scheme has impacted on us all and the current one-way system is forcing traffic through Fountain Street, Scotch Street and Edward Street and is putting pedestrians at risk.

“The scheme has had a disastrous impact and questions are now being asked about its design. Why are there two footpaths on one side of the street for example and is the narrowing of the road close to John Street a possible forerunner for a new permanent one way system?”