Plans for the ambitious project go on public display shortly as part of the consultation process.
A new 100 space off-street car park will be accessed from Liberty Square with an exit onto Slievenamon Road while there will be a loss of between 30 and 40 spaces from the Square itself.
Costing between €2.5 and €3.5 million the plans focus mainly on the eastern or lower end of the square due to traffic management difficulties at the upper end.
Despite the opposition expressed by many councillors District Director Matt Short feels the plan is the best available given the current traffic system in Thurles.
However Cathaoirleach of the Thurles – Templemore Municipal District John Hogan feels this will cause problems as there will be no controlled pedestrian crossing point from the 20 car parking spaces in the centre of the western end of Liberty Square.
