A protest against controversial public realm works took place outside the Strokestown polling booth yesterday afternoon.
Local residents and retailers claim the works will drastically reduce parking and narrow the town's trademark wide streets.
Roscommon County Council has hit back, however, claiming the revamp project is a 'once in a lifetime opportunity for the town and will include the provision of 270 structured parking spaces.
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Yesterday's protest comes following the recent allocation of €5.9 million from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund towards the €7.9 million Rejuvenating Strokestown’s Potential project.
Local residents and retailers say the works will narrow Strokestown's famous wide streets while reducing available parking.
Roscommon County Council disagrees, however, and in a statement to Shannonside News says this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to deliver an enhanced public realm complete with pedestrian space, improved connectivity, places for people to dwell as well as event space.
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The local authority also says the plans include the provision of 270 structured parking spaces which will better serve the Bawn Street and Church Street areas.
The statement also referred to extensive public consultation prior to Part 8 planning being approved by Roscommon County Council members.
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The Council says the works are in accordance with current policy regarding rural development, town centre and active travel policy.
It says that following the completion of the project and the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramogue Road Project, Strokestown will be better positioned to function as a viable and attractive location for people to live, work in and visit.
