Pearse Street closure underway in Ballina

Pearse Street €1m makeover under way in Ballina


Anna Marie Flynn

BALLINA’s Pearse Street month-long closure commenced last week - in order to complete a €1 million make-over.
The temporary closure, which came into effect from last Wednesday, May 12, will extend until June 9, when the main thoroughfare is scheduled to be reopened to traffic.
The town’s main street remains accessible to pedestrians during the four-week period.
Although met with opposition from traders and stakeholders, who were officially informed of the closure at the end of April, the move has been deemed necessary to ‘effect a quality job’ and ‘minimise the duration’ of the most intensive phase of works of the project by Ballina Town Council.
While the local authority has stated that the refurbishment project – which is being part funded through the Gateway and Hub Towns Fund administered by the European Regional Development Agency -  will ‘considerably enhance the street and copper fasten its status as the premier shopping street in Ballina’, the move fuelled heated meetings between traders and the local authority.
Stakeholders have, however, welcomed the fact that the street is scheduled to be reopened in time for the town’s annual Salmon Festival, which coincides with the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships also being held in Ballina this July.
The revamp ties in with the new traffic plan introduced last year.
With the traffic flow on Pearse Street now one-way south bound, future plans include a part pedestrianisation of the street and a link road to the Market Square.
The make-over of the street, which will include extended footpaths, new street furniture, and lighting, will also feature a €60,000 resin and bronze sculpture representing salmon diving.
The development is being completed by a team of outdoor staff in five phases.