Election candidate urges council to resume talks with Carrick-on-Suir parking action group

A Labour General Election candidate has appealed to Tipperary County Council as a “matter of urgency” to resume talks with a Carrick-on-Suir action group to address their concerns about plans to cut car parking spaces on the town’s Main Street.

Cllr Michael ‘Chicken’ Brennan has issued the call in view of the impasse that has arisen between the two sides after the MBI submitted complaints to the Department of Rural & Community Development and Office of the Planning Regulator concerning the Carrick-on-Suir Regeneration Scheme funding application and planning process.

Twenty-one car parking spaces are set to be removed from Main Street when it undergoes a facelift as part of the Regeneration Scheme in 2026, reducing the number of spaces from 54 to 33.

The MBI says a further six spaces removed during the Covid-19 pandemic when temporary footpath build outs were constructed to facilitate outdoor dining, haven’t been restored.

The MBI that comprises traders, property owners and residents on Main Street and some adjoining streets, has expressed disappointment that the Council hasn't engaged with the group since the complaints where lodged.

Cllr Brennan, who is Labour’s Tipperary South constituency candidate, said he was calling on Tipperary County Council as a matter of urgency to enter into discussions with the MBI to resolve the dispute.

“We need to find a satisfactory solution to this problem. I believe the reduction in the number of car parking spaces will adversely affect the viability of the businesses on the Main Street.

“These businesses also provide local employment in Carrick-on-Suir, which in turn contributes to the local economy. It is vital that everything possible is done to enable businesses to thrive and prosper.”

Cllr Brennan, who lives near Fethard, expressed concern that under the proposed arrangement, elderly people and people with physical challenges will not be able to manage walking longer distances to the shops on Carrick’s Main Street.

“I believe they must be given due consideration in this process. I would advocate that we enter into discussions now and resolve this concern at the earliest convenience of all involved,” he added.

Council’s Response

Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Director of Services Brian Beck responded that the Council seeks to work alongside the people, communities and businesses of Carrick and District to ensure it continually improves the District’s towns, villages and rural areas for those who live and work in them.

He said central to this is consulting, engaging and listening and pointed out the Council engaged with the group prior to the submission of the complaints.

 “Despite MBI having only been established in May of this year, two years after the consultation and decision on the regeneration plan was made and when significant work had already taken place to progress the project, the Municipal District, on receiving a request from MBI, met with them to listen to their concerns.

“The majority of these issues had previously been brought up during the consultation and planning process.

“The Municipal District continued to engage with the MBI during the following months and it was made clear to MBI that the District would try to work constructively with them to ensure that traders and property owners on Main Street could be supported during the construction works, to identify opportunities to provide additional car parking close to Main Street and that a plan could be put in place to seek to increase the number of people coming into the town centre.

“The decision by MBI to lodge formal complaints to the Minister for Community & Rural Development and to the Office of the Planning Regulator, against the €17.8 million investment in the town of Carrick-on-Suir was made solely by them.

“This action has now placed the MD into a formal complaints procedure which must be respected and I am certain that Cllr Brennan would expect the MD to engage fully with this procedure. To act in any other way would be wholly inappropriate,” he continued.

Mr Beck said the proposed design and layout of Main Street is focused on making the centre of Carrick-on-Suir a safe, pleasant environment, where people come to shop, eat and meet up with friends and family.

“The new layout will meet all statutory guidelines with regards to on-street car parking for the most vulnerable, while also ensuring that the wide footpaths and new pedestrian crossings are safe for pedestrians from passing traffic and, in particular, heavy goods vehicles.

“This was a key request that came from our public consultation and one which the elected members insisted on.”

He assured traders the Municipal District continues to work with stakeholders on how to increase footfall in the town centre.

He also assured them the Council is living up to the commitment given to the elected members of Carrick-on-Suir MD in 2022 to explore all options with regards to identifying new opportunities for car parking in the town.

“Any traders or property owners who have concerns can contact our offices and we can meet them individually.

“Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District looks forward to continuing to work on this invaluable investment in the town and its future viability,” Mr Beck added.

Pictured below: Labour General Election candidate for Tipperary South Cllr Michael 'Chicken' Brennan