Some months ago, a group of pedestrians and wheelchair users navigated Carrick’s shopping areas and off streets highlighting difficulties. I know there is a paper issued from this. Has heed been taken of peoples access difficulties in the new street plans? I note the small step into AIB remains and I ask, have any such steps been eliminated in upper and lower Main St? Can you outline the main learning points incorporated into the new streetscape?
Minutes:
To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Finola Armstrong-McGuire;
"Some months ago, a group of pedestrians and wheelchair users navigated Carrick’s shopping areas and off streets highlighting difficulties. I know there is a paper issued from this. Has heed been taken of people’s access difficulties in the new street plans? I note the small step into AIB remains and I ask, have any such steps been eliminated in upper and lower Main St? Can you outline the main learning points incorporated into the new streetscape?"
Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.
"All Council projects, whether public realm type or buildings, are designed having regard to the principles of Universal Design so that projects are as inclusive as possible. In addition to the initial design philosophy, when undertaking any project that involves works to public realm infrastructure and/or buildings the Council refers all Part VIII design proposals to the Council’s Access Officer for any further recommendations to ensure compliance with the requirements of being universally accessible and inclusive. Any recommendations by the Access Officer are thereafter incorporated into the design. A similar process is also used in respect of any planning applications that include open space or common areas to which the public will have access.
In addition to the consideration of universal accessibility at design stage, the public consultation phase of both Part VIII proposals and planning applications in general, affords the opportunity to all members of the public, or special interest groups, to submit comments and recommendations in respect of any project. Any submissions received are fully considered and, where appropriate, incorporated into the project.
In undertaking any scheme, such as the Carrick on Shannon Public Realm Project, the responsibility of the Council is to seek to provide public areas which are, as far as is practicable, universally accessible, and inclusive. Accordingly, the Council is providing safe road crossing points for wheelchair users and pedestrians as part of the Public Realm Project. The Council has also sought to ensure the provision of adequate dedicated accessible car parking spaces and the minimisation of any impediments or barriers to all persons by the elimination of obstacles through the use of appropriate street furniture.
With regard to access into various business properties in the town, while responsibility rests with the property owners. the Council, as part of the Public Realm Project on the streets in Carrick on Shannon is eliminating steps where possible. It is not possible to achieve this in respect of every premises due to the difference between the internal floor level and the footpath outside a given premises: in the case of the AIB building the level difference between the internal step, in combination with the adjacent dropped kerb to enable access to the rear car park, would create excessive slopes on the footpath if it were eliminated."
Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire welcomed the continuing work on the new streetscape in Carrick-on-Shannon. She complimented the design of the paving which is becoming more evident as the works are progressing.
Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire highlighted the importance of the public taking part in the public consultation phase of Part VIII planning applications, which affords the opportunity to all members of the public, or special interest groups, to submit comments and recommendations in respect of any such project. She stated that submissions received are fully considered and, where appropriate, incorporated into the project.
Councillor Armstrong McGuire noted that the step at the AIB on the Main Street has not been addressed and she acknowledged that there are quite a number of premises on Main Street with step into their premises and nothing can be done in this regard. Councillor Armstrong McGuire said it is important that we have a streetscape that is universally accessible and inclusive to all users.
Councillor Paddy Farrell supported the motion and said there has been great feedback on the public realm works to date.
Councillor Sean McGowan said all wheelchair users should be facilitated by ensuring steps are removed to access to buildings.
Councillor Des Guckian said during the public were not listened to during the public consultation phase of the Part 8 Public Realm Works for Carrick-on-Shannon.
Mr Shay O’Connor, Senior Engineer outlined that while responsibility for access into various business properties in the town rests with the property owners, the Council, as part of the Public Realm project in Carrick on Shannon is eliminating steps where possible. It is not possible to achieve this in respect of every premises due to the difference between the internal floor level and the footpath outside certain premises. In the case of the AIB building, attempting to rectify the problem would create excessive slopes on the footpath.
Mr O’Connor rejected the statement that people were not listened to on the Public Realm consultation phase. Mr O’Connor said it is important people make submissions during this phase of a project and noted that the Local Authority may need to emphasis this more.
Mr Joseph Gilhooly said all proposals put forward for Part VIII planning and public consultation undergo an extensive, professional design process and are prepared by competent and professionally qualified staff and consultants. All submissions received under the Part 8 public consultation phase are fully considered and, where appropriate, incorporated into the project.