Relocation request for casual traders to new public realm space in Mayo town

MAYO County Council has been asked to arrange for the relocation of casual traders operating in the Market Square of Ballina from their current position within the car park to the newly developed public realm space adjacent to it.

Councillor Annie May Reape made the call at the February Ballina Municipal District meeting by way of a notice of motion.

Her proposal is to ensure more efficient use of public space and enhance economic activity in the wider town centre.

Councillor Reape also asked for the installation of a defined boundary between the existing car park and the public realm space at the Market Square.

Responding, Emmet O'Donnell, Ballina MD architect, agreed that a boundary established by planting and hedging could be a good solution.

On use of the car park by traders, he said the council had been looking at ways of containing the space in which they currently operate so that when they are there, the clash of spaces is eliminated.

“Getting traders on to the plaza seems to be a no-brainer but we would have to look into it in detail to see if it is possible,” he said.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme