BY CONOR SHARKEY
A MEETING between local development body Strabane 2000 and Roads Service on the possible reopening of Strabane's Castle Street to traffic will take place next week.
The meeting, scheduled for next Friday, comes on the back of a request from a number of local traders who believe the reopening of the pedestrianised zone would help the continuing regeneration of the town centre.
A long time advocate of Castle Street being returned to a through road for traffic is manager of Supervalu and member of Strabane 2000, Martin McBrearty.
Speaking to the Strabane Chronicle earlier this week, Mr McBrearty said the issue could help solve a number of ongoing problems in Strabane.
"The reason that I would support the reopening of Castle Street is that it is being under used at present. Years ago, traffic could get through and there was parking on either side of the street. It gave heart to the town," he said.
"The reality now is that the town centre needs to be enhanced and there needs to be life put back into it. By reopening Castle Street, we could help ease traffic congestion in and around the town and visitors to the new retail park at the bottom of Railway Street may be encouraged to come in and take advantage of what the town centre has to offer. I honestly believe that reopening Castle Street would be an integral step in the continued regeneration of our town," Mr McBrearty said.
The chances of the street being opened however, were played down by Strabane 2000 chairman Jarlath McNulty who said there were many issues to be addressed before any decision could be made.
"All we are doing is facilitating a request from a board member that the reopening of Castle Street be looked at. Basically, it is taking place to find out where all the relevant bodies stand on the issue," he said.
"I believe we need to listen to what everyone has to say, and that includes members of the public. There are several things to look at and in my own personal opinion, one of the most important is that of pollution. I believe in our town centre, it is important that we get the balance between pedestrians and car users right," Mr McNulty said.
