Call for 'traffic calming' in Carrickfergus town centre

There have been calls for traffic calming measures to be installed at a pedestrian zone in Carrickfergus town centre.
Market Place.Market Place.
Market Place.

Local man Gary McCabe, whose wife Anita owns Market Place shop The Mulberry Bush, said cars using the area both for parking and as a thoroughfare was a "major health and safety issue".

Mr McCabe added: "I continually witness cars travelling at excessive speeds in this pedestrian zone. It's an accident waiting to happen.

"At one point I was almost hit by a car when coming out of my wife's shop.

"The issue of using the street as a car park is also a problem for traders, as customers find it hard to access the shops because cars are parking tight to the shop doorways. Indeed it's a particular problem for my wife’s shop, as customers try to access and egress pushing prams and buggies.

"It is difficult enough trying to run a business in Carrickfergus without the possible loss of custom due to cars blocking the doorway and also having to control traffic that should not be there.

"I am demanding that the council do something about this matter; business owners should not have to put up with this behaviour.

"In my opinion the only way to stop the problem is to install lifting bollards at the entrance to Market Place."

On-street and off-street parking enforcement and on-street parking charges were suspended at the beginning of the lockdown period in March.

However, parking enforcement teams were back on the streets from June 22, with penalties reintroduced on June 29.

Commenting on the issue, a spokesperson for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council indicated that business owners were recently surveyed over their views on traffic and pedestrian zones in the town centre.

“Our car parks are functioning again and we are focused on economic recovery in our town centres," the spokesperson added.

“The survey has been completed and a report is due to be submitted to the Chief Executive. When the results are collated, these will be reported to the council and the public in due course.”

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