Loading bay location problematic for traffic management planners

By JACQUELINE HOGGE MIXED opinions on proposed changes to the management of traffic in Tuam were conveyed at a special information session this week.[private] Plans to relocate taxi ranks and loading bays are causing consternation among traders and taxi drivers alike, although it will be the end of next month before all submissions and suggestions will be considered. While traders in Shop Street were happy with plans to reintroduce paid parking on the road, their counterparts in High Street were adamant that a loading bay will not be located outside their premises. The draft traffic management plan proposes the relocation of the current loading bay in Shop Street to High Street, replacing the taxi rank. Mary Rennick of High Street Pharmacy said plans to install a loading bay anywhere on the upper section of the street made no sense and would create serious problems for traffic movement. 'Logistically it doesn't make any sense and when illegal parking continues on the opposite side of the road, if they were to introduce a loading bay here it would clog up the entire town, as larger trucks and buses wouldn't be able to pass. 'I have registered my opposition with council officials, on the grounds I am not prepared to accept the loss of light and a constant stream of exhaust fumes into my shop on a daily basis. 'People insist on parking on both sides of this street for quick purchases either in the newsagents, or into one of the shops along the road, and even if proper parking places are returned, that won't change. Constructive Fellow trader Pat Mitchell said he had a constructive discussion with engineers at the information session and would be following this up with a written submission to County Hall. 'I agree with my fellow traders that a loading bay cannot be introduced, we're lucky to be here at all and the addition of that to the area would be a step too far. Pat Lane said he was happy with what was being proposed as the reintroduction of paid parking in Shop Street would entice customers back to the area. 'We've never had a problem with the majority of taxi drivers who use the rank outside my premises, but the proposal to move the rank further up the street will be of benefit as it will see the return of paid parking, albeit 30 minutes instead of the previous two hours. 'We've lost a lot of spontaneous custom since the paid parking was removed, so we're hoping that if paid parking is reintroduced we might be able to attract that type of customer back.' However, Brian Loftus said he was concerned at the loss of the only disabled parking space on Shop Street, under the proposals. 'I went to the information session where I suggested that instead of losing one, the council should increase disabled parking spaces to two on the road, and install a boxed junction between the two, to make it easier for disabled people to park,' he said. 'While the officials listened to my concerns they seemed slow to take any notes and after my last submission to a traffic management plan in the town some years back wasn't even acknowledged, I'm concerned that the proposals being put forward by the community won't be taken into account. 'I'm paying €6,000 every year in rates yet I'm not being listened to so it will be very interesting to see the outcome of this in terms of what changes will be made.'[/private]