Anger over location of new car park near Roundwood
RESIDENTS of Mullinaveigue, located around a mile outside Roundwood village, are frustrated over plans to construct a car park in the area.
The residents maintain that the car park will lead to additional traffic on the already busy R745, will lead to anti-social behaviour and would be better located in the heart of the village.
The car park, which has been under discussion for the best part of two years, will offer additional space for visitors flocking to Roundwood to enjoy the Vartry Trail. Initially Roundwood and District Community Council headed the project, but it has since been taken over by Wicklow County Council on a two-acres site that used to belong to Coillte.
However, Mullinaveigue residents have described Wicklow County Council as ‘insensitive’ for moving equipment onto the site last week in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis, and are also seeking clarification over a number of questions they have.
‘As residents we have implored Wicklow County Council to give this project the proper consideration it deserves. We have voiced genuine concerns as regards visitor safety and general security, to safeguard visitors and residents and avoid any dangerous outcomes. This is even more important given the potential implications of the covid-19 crisis at present.
‘At a time of great uncertainty, this has caused unnecessary distress for those who are vulnerable in our community. Our elderly neighbours who were already expressing anxiety because of this looked out their windows to see equipment, generator and fencing arriving. We feel these actions are completely insensitive, especially given the guidelines that most people have been applying to their everyday lives in terms of respecting distancing and reducing movements, unless necessary.
‘We fully support the work that has been done in our local area in terms of recreational space, all we asked was that a project of this kind was given the due diligence and thorough evaluation.’
Residents also feel they haven’t had an opportunity to submit objections to Wicklow County Council because planning isn’t required. They further feel that Mullinaveigue is not a suitable location for the car park.
One resident said: ‘At least if there was a Part 8 process we could submit our objections through the proper channels. It will be beside one of the busiest roads in the country. It would have been much better if it was located in the centre of the village. Then everyone benefits – including local shops and businesses. Instead, visitors will just park at Mullinaveigue and then head home once they have walked the Vartry Trail. Roundwood village will get no benefits. It would also be easier to police the car park if it were in the village, rather than a remote location which will attract anti-social elements, such as people trying to break into cars to steal any contents.’
No car park works will be taking place since the introduction of tighter Covid-19 restrictions on Friday. Cllr Shay Cullen insists that additional car parking for Roundwood is urgently required because of the numbers visiting the Vartry Trail.
‘ The reason the car park is going ahead is because of the huge numbers of visitors Roundwood gets for outdoor recreational pursuits along the Vartry Trail. Extra parking is essential. In the past we have had people parking outside people’s driveways and parking carelessly. Two or three weeks ago the gardaí had to actually start issuing tickets. The council has been engaging over the past four to five months to try and alleviate the problem. The car park has been in the making for two years now and is badly needed,’ said Cllr Cullen.