St Patrick's Day in Bandon a great success!

Congrats to all concerned for making the 2008 St Patrick's Day parade in bandon such a huge success.

A special word of congratulations to the organising committee who did so much work in the background.

Well done to all of those who participated and also to the Parade Marshall ... Dr Clare O'leary who was also honoured later that night by a Civic Reception.

Please find attached some photos of a most memorable day.

Hiring of Consultants for Bandon Area Study

Matrix Associates of Cork and London have been appointed by Cork County Council and Bandon Action Group to prepare an Action Plan for the improvement of Bandon town centre.

Bandon Action Group is a voluntary organisation made up of members of the County Council, Bandon Town Council, Bandon Traders, Bandon Business Group and the Bandon Chamber of Commerce.

The Action Plan will set out an integrated strategy for enhancement of the town; to reinforce its obvious assets and heritage attributes; to improve the pedestrian/traffic environment and to consolidate both its shopping and business character. The Action Plan will amplify the objectives of the Statutory Local Area Plan, and identify practical ways of realising them.

The Action Plan represents an important opportunity for the town to ensure that Bandon can continue to function as a strong and independent urban centre and as an attractive and dynamic place for residents, workers and visitors.

Key elements of the Plan will address the following:

· realistic programme of infrastructure and traffic/parking arrangements;
· town centre streetscape/environmental improvements following the main sewerage scheme;
· opportunities for conservation and building frontage improvements;
· enhanced network of amenities and pedestrian facilities; and
· town promotion, consumer services and employment potential.

Potential streetscape measures will consider:

· footway widening and paving treatments;
· trees/planting and seating;
· parking/loading proposals and facilities for the disabled;
· lighting and street furniture improvements;
· signage, wayfaring and public information; and
· enhanced bus facilities and service/routing information.

Supporting studies will be conducted over the next 3-4 months, for presentation of the draft proposals in July 2008 when an exhibition will be held to obtain public reaction and response to the measures put forward.

Emerging proposals will be reviewed with Bandon Town Council. A series of workshops will be held with specific interest groups, whilst the consultant team will welcome your views on current issues needing to be addressed and on potential aspirations/opportunities to improve the town. Please address your comments in writing to us at Matrix Associates at the Cork address below, or by e-mail to: bandonactionplan@gmail.com

Updates on progress and emerging proposals will be placed on the Bandon website at: www.bandon.ie to provide information on the continuing status of the project.

This is a great opportunity to enhance the image and perceptions of the town, so please let us know your thoughts on the way forward.


matrix associates URBAN STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT

CORK: 1st Floor, 56 MacCurtain Street, Cork, Ireland tel: + 353 (0) 21 4506902 fax: + 353 (0) 21 4506903
LONDON: 17 Neal's Yard, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9DP tel: +44 (0) 20 7716 5810 fax: +44 (0) 20 7379 5990