Resounding YES for campaign to restore Eyre Square
Issued : Tuesday 2 August, 2005
Response to Labour's campaign to restore Eyre Square to a green park enclosed with railings has been a resounding 'yes'. Over 6,000 signatures have been gathered to date and they are well on their way to their target of over 10,000 signatures by the time the Council resumes in September.
Councillor Colette Connolly says that their call for a green park reflects what the vast majority of the people in the city want regardless of their political affiliation. Most people are absolutely irate and appalled at the way the Council have mis-handled the Eyre Square project. They also expressed extreme dismay that their wishes were ignored following the initial public consultation process and wondered if 'they would be listened to this time round'. Most people posed the question 'why did they touch it in the first place'. 'What was wrong with the way it was, sure it was lovely.' Most felt that an enclosed park would be safer for children to play in and could be closed at night to prevent the rowdiness and serious drink related incidents of the past.
Labour Councillors have stressed that they do not wish to delay the project any further but have asked that the contractor to be appointed in October be instructed at least to cost the alternative i.e. a green park in the centre enclosed with railings.
People feel that that there is already too much paving, most of which is so severely soiled that the Council have had to do a major clean up. Parts of the paving stone are already lifting and are very slippy in wet weather. Most people feel the stone is grey and ugly and are aghast that the Council want to proceed with more of the same given the budgetary implications for cleaning it.
The Labour Councillors have asked the City Manager, Joe McGrath for legal advice in relation to his assertion that it will require another Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to amend an EIS. It seems patently absurd that an EIS would be required to change something back into a park. Also, the area in question is far below the threshold level required for an EIS to be instituted.
Cllr Connolly says that Labour will continue its campaign during and after the holiday period. Those interested in joining the campaign to safeguard the future of Eyre Square are very welcome.
Cllr 
