During the recent Green Party Convention in Wexford, I took a walk around the town and came across this:

Wexford Borough Council has instated a policy of temporary pedestrianisation in the centre of the town during weekday business hours.

I’ve always been a proponent of pedestrian areas in the centre of larger towns, although I do think it has to be sensitively managed, particularly in relation to the livelihood of the traders it may affect.

However, given the current problems we have in the centre of Carrick on Shannon in relation to shoppers frequenting the retail parks on the edge of the town, should we start considering a bit of lateral thinking?

Bridge Street and Main Street in Carrick quite often look like car parks more than bustling town streets, and I have no doubt that this atmosphere influences shoppers in their choice of destination.

I think the time has come to look at a Pedestrianisation trial, from the corner at Paddys Pub to the Clock. Its a small enough area and no more than 20 parking spaces would be lost, many of which are already used by traders themselves anyway.

On the Saturday I was in Wexford Town, there was a real buzz about the place, and it was great being able to walk down the street without the din and congestion of constant traffic.

Surely, Carrick should at least consider pedestrianisation as an option?