'New' Market Street now open to traffic
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Mayor of Armagh, Cllr Noel Sheridan, congratulates contractor Kieran Doyle, SIAC, on the opening of the new-look Market Street.
THE opening of Market Street and Upper English Street to traffic this week saw the achievement of another major milestone in the completion of the Armagh City Centre Environmental Improvement Scheme.
In addition, the completion of new pavements and street lighting in Dobbin Street Lane shows the scheme is making good progress, with many more positive announcements expected in the New Year.
At the official opening of the new road on Monday, Mayor of Armagh, Councillor Noel Sheridan, congratulated Kieran Doyle, regional director of SIAC (NI) Ltd, on achieving this key milestone, and commented on the quality of the workmanship to date.
The Mayor appealed to drivers and pedestrians to respect the new street layout and explained: "The feedback I have received to date has been extremely positive, with shoppers enjoying their new-found priority and I am keen to ensure that continues.
“I am appealing to everyone to start as we mean to go on - use the space as it is intended and ensure we can continue to enjoy our improved streetscape for decades to come."
The Mayor went on: "The use of the street is very different from before. It is no longer a free for all, with a dangerous mixing of drivers and pedestrians across the street. We have taken great care with the design to make provision for loading, parking and pedestrians.
“The new street design includes two loading bays, parking bays and provision for disabled parking. I would ask the general public and businesses to remember that footpaths are for pedestrians only. Vehicles mounting kerbs or parking on pavements is a health and safety nightmare in a busy street, as well as causing significant damage to the new paving."
Speaking on behalf of Armagh City Centre Management, Roberta Wright welcomed the opening of Market Street to traffic.
“For many years we have fought to have the ineffective pedestrian area removed and to secure the necessary funding to do so. Now we have achieved this and to see an even better street created in the heart of the city is wonderful.
“These improvements will be of great commercial benefit to businesses and help Armagh compete with neighbouring towns and cities in the region. I would like to thank city businesses and all our customers for their patience and support. Everyone in the city and wider district who has supported this venture should be very proud of what we have achieved by working together."
Loading is only permitted in the new loading bays provided. No loading is permitted in the roadway or on pavements, as this will cause an obstruction to passing traffic and damage the new granite paving. Loading bays may be used by both delivery vehicles and customers. Customers can also use the loading bays if they are 'actively loading' bulky purchases they would be unable to carry. Parking is not permitted in loading bays.
Parking is only permitted in the new designated bays in Market Street and Upper English Street. Parking in the bays is limited to 60 minutes in any two hours, except for disabled bays, where drivers can park for up to three hours in any given day.
There is a double yellow, no-waiting restriction along the full length of the street to prevent parking that would obstruct the flow of traffic.
