BY CONOR SHARKEY
AS talks continue into the possible reopening of Castle Street to traffic, it appears two members of Strabane 2000 could be on a collision course over the issue.
Speculation has been rife in recent months over the future of the pedestrianised zone. Several local traders have given their backing to the proposal to reopen the site to cars, while local councillors appear divided over the issue.
And while any final decision on Castle Street could be months away, it looks likely that those involved in talks could be set to lock horns long before that.
Speaking to the Strabane Chronicle on Monday, chairman of Strabane 2000 Jarlath McNulty and former Strabane 2000 chair Eugene McMenamin had very different views on the increasingly contentious issue.
Councillor McNulty said: "As chair of Strabane 2000, any decision will be taken in consultation with everyone, because this will affect everyone.
"However, as a councillor, I would be opposed to reopening the street to traffic and I think it would do more harm than good. I have heard individuals talk about the location of taxi ranks and the flow of traffic around the town centre, but I don't believe opening this street would create a better flow. I agree that the traffic flow in and around the town needs to be looked at, but that is an issue for the DOE.
"During the summer, I saw groups of people relaxing outside a sandwich shop on Castle Street and it looks great for the town and creates a lovely image. I don't believe reopening the street to traffic is the answer to any problems and I would like to see anyone who supports the proposal put forward a constructive plan of what they think it would do for the town centre.
"I have heard concerns raised about the opening of businesses at the bottom of Railway Road and how it will affect town centre businesses. But the challenge for us now is how do we channel shoppers up the Railway Road and into the town. I don't see reopening Castle Street as the answer.
"This issue will be debated by Strabane 2000 and in turn Strabane District Council, but personally I don't see the need for the street to be depedestrianised," Mr McNulty said.
Despite the vehement objections voiced by the current Strabane 2000 chair, councillor Eugene McMenamin said depedestrianisation was the obvious way forward.
"The general consensus among councillors appears to be not to reopen the street to traffic, but personally I would be very much in favour of it.
"Times change and we have to move with them. I have been approached by traders who say traffic going past their shops would revamp them. We need something to regenerate the town centre and I believe this is the answer.
"Obviously to allow cars back up the street would take major work, with the installation of footpaths and one thing and another, but I honestly think it would help. Plans are in the pipeline to give Abercorn Square a major revamp and we need to look at where the traffic will flow when that goes ahead.
"There are a lot of issues to look at and before anything can be done at Castle Street, it would have to go through legislation.
"But from a traders point of view, and with the proper facilities put in place for pedestrians, I think reopening that street would enhance the entire town centre," Mr McMenamin said.
