Businesses wondering why access gate locked in Leitrim town is locked in run-up to Christmas 

A locked gate that provides access from the public car park in Ballinamore to businesses and amenities, had councillors and council staff puzzled at a meeting in Ballinamore this week.

Cllr Gary Prior had asked Leitrim County Council to provide an update to the Ballinamore Municipal District on the protocol for the opening of the locked gate adjacent to the Leitrim Genealogy Centre in Ballinamore which leads to the public car park. 

"For last couple of weeks, the gate has been locked during business trading days; there are a lot of people who use that gate at the back of the courthouse and use the side gate to access the main street, butcher's and hotel etc. Businesses are wondering why gate is locked in run-up to Christmas during day trading hours. There is access down the side of the lane but there is no real adequate lighting down that lane," he said.

He said the gate "being locked is making it very difficult for people to park responsibly; a few weeks ago, quite a few tickets were issued for parking. The side access is quite a long walk around for elderly people."

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He queried if the council could consider ensuring the gate is accessible during weekends to allow convenient access to main street shops, local businesses and church mass times.

The official response said that the Capital Office are currently looking at the redevelopment of the Courthouse in Ballinamore and as part of this proposed development the connection between the existing carpark and Main Street Ballinamore will be considered as part of the overall design.

David Minton, director of services, said that it's envisaged the project will be developed through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) before adding: "We have access permissions but don't actually have access to the site. The gate is under the OPW and I will talk to the director of the OPW. There may be staff in the council who have access to it."

Cllr Prior stressed: "There is a public car park and people can't access the main street from it so while we welcome the movement on the courthouse, in the meantime, could we look at lighting down that side road and accessibility."

Cllr Roisin Kenny said that new car park behind the Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon. "I always use that car park and never park on the main street. People will always choose the easy option so if you make it easier for people to get access to the main street, that's what they'll do."