We Are One

EWPG recently reached an important milestone when we celebrated our first year in existence.

At this point in time we would have expected the issue of Queen Street car park to have been resolved but unfortunately that decision is out of our hands.

However we remained totally committed to the campaign and wish to reassure the workers of Enniskillen that we will see this matter through to its conclusion. After all, we are one!

Don't just take our word for it ....

The Q101.2 FM news bulletin (8am) on Wednesday, 4 February referred to the fact that the influx of cross border shoppers had made little difference to the independent traders of Enniskillen.

This remark was attributed to Glen Roberts of the Northern Ireland Retail Trade Association. Mr Roberts had been attending an Oireachtas committee meeting the previous day in order to highlight the serious plight of retailers in the Republic of Ireland during the current economic downturn. The meeting 'flagged up' the threat posed to such businesses by the so-called super stores and urged the retention of the cap on large retail outlets.

A Sunday Times article (8 Feb) deals primarily with the contrasting fortunes of Newry and Dundalk. However mention is made of Enniskillen and the fact that only Asda and Tesco are prospering to any great extent.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article5683254.ece

All of this would appear to render the Roads Service proposal to introduce 'pay and display' at Queen Street car park completely unnecessary.

Survey at Head Street

EWPG's latest survey of utilisation at the adjacent P&D car park at Head Street reveals that there are ample available spaces.

This amenity can accommodate 57 vehicles and our figures reflect the number of empty spaces at the time of our count. The figure in brackets (when it occurs) represents vehicles from the ROI occupying parking spaces.

08 Jan @ 1200 hrs = 05

09 Jan @ 1035 hrs = 15 (1)

12 Jan @ 1030 hrs = 29

13 Jan @ 1215 hrs = 09

15 Jan @ 1500 hrs = 15

20 Jan @ 1430 hrs = 16 (1)

21 Jan @ 1205 hrs = 24

22 Jan @ 1120 hrs = 12

23 Jan @ 1005 hrs = 27

24 Jan @ 1400 hrs = 21 (2)

26 Jan @ 1135 hrs = 18

27 Jan @ 1425 hrs = 18 (1)

28 Jan @ 1215 hrs = 22

29 Jan @ 1430 hrs = 05 (3)

30 Jan @ 1435 hrs = 07 (2)

31 Jan @ 1220 hrs = 48 (2)

Stepping Up Our Protest

Now that a decision on Queen Street car park has been deferred until the end of March it is imperative that we step up our campaign.

Consequently the committee members of EWPG will be meeting to discuss future activities. Prior to the public information exercise held in Enniskillen Library on 29 November we had planned an Autumn event at the Diamond. A number of musicians had agreed to perform, and one of the local Radio Stations was going to be in attendance. Following the meeting with Roads Service on the afore mentioned date we decided to place this event on hold as we anticipated a resolution of the Queen Street issue prior to Christmas.

Unfortunately our optimism proved to be unfounded and we now need to reassert our opposition to this absurd proposal. We are receptive to suggestions from our members and other interested parties. So get those thinking caps on!

Roads Service Play Scrooge

It would be nice to be imparting some seasonal good cheer to the workers of the west end of Enniskillen, but unfortunately Roads Service reneged on their commitment to announce their decision in respect of Queen Street car park prior to Christmas.

The reason cited is that they now intend to undertake a survey of car park utilisation throughout the town. This has apparently been triggered by the influx of cross border shoppers into the town.

It has obviously escaped the notice of Roads Service that Asda (located at the opposite end of the town) is the magnet for these visitors, and that Queen Street car park logistically is of no advantage to them. Our own surveys of the adjacent P&D car park at Head Street show that there are adequate available spaces throughout the day (with the possible exception of the week or so in the lead up to Christmas).

Regrettably, it would appear that Roads Service is not interested in statistics (which we have freely exchanged with them), but would rather railroad their proposal through in relation to Queen Street.

A decision is now expected at the end of March.

Is a decision imminent?

There is increasing speculation that Roads Service will announce their decision in respect of the future status of Queen Street car park before the end of this current month (November).

EWPG would greatly welcome such a development as our group wish to see this matter resolved as expediently as possible. There is no creditable reason to proceed with the introduction of 'pay and display.' Our survey of the adjacent P&D car park at Head Street continues to show an abundance of available spaces throughout the day.

It is time for Roads Service to step back from the brink and to heed the collective voice of the town's workers.

EWPG's mid-term break

EWPG decided to refrain from counting the parking spaces at Head Street during the week 27 October - 1 November on the grounds that it coincided with the mid-term break. Consequently the volume of traffic into the town during this period is greatly increased and is not in keeping with the norm.

Additionally on Saturday 1 November a Meccano exhibition at Enniskillen Library attracted visitors from far and near. Rest assured that we will recommence our survey in the coming weeks. However be warned that the lead up to Christmas will not present a true pattern of car park utilisation throughout the year. We can only hope that Roads Service is mindful of this fact as they set about correlating their own statistics.

At this juncture we would encourage Roads Service to reach a decision regarding the future status of Queen Street car park.