Wicklow Town Team urges Tánaiste to Fast-Track Key Local Projects
Call for Urgent Action for Wicklow Town Courthouse and Town Parking Solutions
The Wicklow Town Team recently had a very constructive meeting with the Tánaiste Simon Harris TD requesting his direct intervention to advance several critical projects for Wicklow Town.
The Town Team asked the Tánaiste to use his influence in Government in relation to key infrastructural and community items identified as needing immediate priority attention for the sustainable development of Wicklow Town.
A central focus of the discussion was the long-vacant Wicklow Town Courthouse and the lack of car parking spaces close to the town centre.
Wicklow Courthouse: A Call for Urgent Action
The plight of the Wicklow Courthouse, a prominent building in the town centre, was highlighted as a matter of urgent concern. "This building has been closed since 2010, and over that 15 years has become a derelict building in our Town centre," stated Pascal Burke, Chair of the Wicklow Town Team. "With no prospect of it being reopened as a Courthouse there is a significant cost of maintenance being incurred annually which is an appalling waste of public money."
The Town Team has formally requested the Tánaiste to ensure that a decision regarding the building's future use is made without further delay. The team also confirmed its commitment to consult with the local community on how best to redevelop this strategically located building, adjacent to Wicklow Gaol and the historic Market Square, for the maximum community benefit.
Urgent need for increased car parking spaces
The urgent need for increased car parking spaces was highlighted, with the Town Team drawing attention to a critical imbalance. Despite planning approval in 2006 for a multi-story car park in Abbey Street, the project was shelved due to the financial crash. Since then, Wicklow's population has doubled, yet parking capacity remains at 1996 levels.
In line with national objectives to reinvigorate town centres, the Town Team emphasised the need for a significant increase in car parking spaces to be developed close to the commercial and retail heart of Wicklow Town as part of the local transport plan which is currently in consultation.
East Coast Greenway
Concerns were also voiced regarding the stalled progress of the East Coast Greenway, primarily due to the lengthy planning process required for essential coastal protection works to be commenced on behalf of Iarnród Eireann. The Town Team has urged the Tánaiste to make strong representation to Iarnród Eireann to ascertain their current plans for these crucial works which are critical to the long overdue development of the East Coast Greenway.
Sports & Recreation facilities.
The significant deficit in sports and recreation facilities was highlighted. Enda Luddy, Chair of the Town Team Sports & Recreation Group, said: "No additional Sports & Recreation has been created in Wicklow Town for the past 40 years during which time the local population has been doubled."
He strongly advocated the need for a strategic policy to be adopted by Wicklow County Council ensuring that the development of additional sports and recreational facilities be developed in tandem with future residential developments.
Enda Luddy stressed the urgent need to secure significant Capital Sports Funding required to develop the Hawkstown site which has been designated for Sports & Recreation.
Offshore Centre of Excellence
The Town Team noted that Wicklow County Campus, based at Clermont House in Rathnew is the ideal location to develop an Offshore Centre of Excellence Training Course. This proposal which has been previously raised with the Department of Higher Education has been significantly strengthened by the recent decision of Codling Wind Bank to establish its base in Wicklow Town.
L-R: Dave Shannon, Cllr Graham Richmond, An Tanaiste Simon Harris TD, Enda Luddy, Georgina Franey Town Administrator, Pascal Burke, Stephen Clarke, Town Regeneration Officer.