Over 3,000 people have their say on new planned €20 million rejuvenation of Carlow Town

A planned €20million rejuvenation of Carlow town centre should include cafe-style spaces outside restaurants and bars, pedestrianised streets and vibrant public meeting areas, a survey has found.

A resounding 98% of people think changes need to be made to improve the town, according to the Your Carlow survey, which sought public opinion on elements of the transformation.

More than 3,000 people in Carlow had their say, their views gathered over a three-week period in October on yourcarlow.ie.

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Your Carlow is the first element of Project Carlow 2040 which gave a strategic framework for the future of the town with a series of suggested improvements.

The Your Carlow proposals have been designed with modern urban public realm living and supporting business in mind.

The top five things identified by respondents to improve the town centre are café-style public spaces outside restaurants and bars, pedestrian friendly areas, spaces for people to mix and mingle, sustainable and attractive planting and appropriate street lighting.

Respondents strongly felt that Carlow’s streets had the potential to be attractive spaces in which to spend quality time, rather than just routes.

And they want to see more trees and greenery, pedestrian friendly streets, quality paving, safe street seating and meeting areas.

A total of 76% of people surveyed said that they did not think that Carlow Town Centre was an attractive destination, with physical deterioration, economic stagnation, social challenges and infrastructural deficiencies dominating their list of reasons.

Carlow Town currently has over 3,691 available public and private car parking spaces, many of which are unused on a daily basis.

When asked, 65% of people agreed or strongly agreed with prioritising public realm, pedestrian and amenity space over on-street car parking for improvements that will create a vibrant and active town centre.

They were clear that there should be improved signage to car parks showing where spaces are available.

More than three quarters who took the survey thought it was a good idea to extend the one-way system on part of Tullow Street and introduce it on part of Potato Market in order to widen the footpaths and improve the public realm space.

Almost all respondents (94%) agreed that public realm spaces should cater to the needs of different user groups such as older people, young people, and people with disabilities, with appropriate street furniture.

And there was a huge thumbs up for the proposed new glass and timber structure at the Potato Market with 80% liking or strongly liking the structure.

“Public consultation and views are vital to this process and the results of the Your Carlow survey, and the feelings of the people of Carlow, have fed into this final draft of the plan,” said Coilín O’Reilly, Chief Executive of Carlow County Council.

“The formal planning process is now open and Carlow County Council welcomes any submissions people may have.”

Detailed designs and plans around the Your Carlow proposals are now on public display until March 14 and can be viewed in County Hall, Carlow Library and online at consult.carlow.ie.

For more details of the survey results, see yourcarlow.ie

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