Ennis Chamber says the provision of permanent parking is crucial for the viability of town.
It follows the publication of its ‘Distance to Workplace Survey’, which found that the vast majority of employees in Ennis will continue to reply on the car for transport for years to come.
The ‘Distance to Workplace Survey’ was carried out to provide factual data to the local authority for inclusion in the Area Based Transport Assessment, which is currently being undertaken.
This will be used to influence decisions around the provision of town bus requirements and preferred routes, town parking and other key infrastructure transport related decisions.
The survey found that 38.5% of Ennis employees live within one kilometre of their workplace, with 16.5% living between 3 and 5 kilomtres away.
23% of Ennis employees live between 5 and 10 kilometres from their workplace and 22% live more than 10 kilometres away.
Diarmuid McMahon represented Ennis Chamber on Ennis 2040 Plan Steering Committee, prior to the publication of the plan.
The Ennis auctioneer says it’s clear that, for many workers, the car is here to stay.
A multi-storey car park was originally part of the Ennis 2040 plan, but it’s understood public funding is not available or this kind of facility.
Ennis Chamber President Sheila Lynch says this has created a major stumbling block and she’s concerned that the future viability of the town and businesses will be affected without a permanent parking solution.
You can listen to the interview below.
