Despite the bypass, traffic on the Main Street is still heavy and the town centre has not yet been revamped. When the planned new town centre development is in place, this might change. In the absence of an up-to-date town plan, progress in Arklow seems to be developer-driven. There is a new marina and several apartment complexes are either planned or under construction, but the potential of the attractive South Quay area is still unrealised. Locals can be slow to accept strangers, say some newcomers.