Now to prove that not having pay parking can still work
Workers should be clever and use car parks and free streets for shoppers and residents
WORKERS are being asked not to abuse the free parking system in council controlled areas - to prove a point!
The local man, whose study of the bye-laws prompted the suspension of the system until
June 21 next, says it is now time for the motorists around town to make the most of the opportunity.
He says there could be a belief in council quarters that the population of the town will simply park anywhere, now that many areas are free, and he says everyone should prove them wrong.
‘ To allow businesses to benefit the most from this parking opportunity, I would suggest that workers parking in town try to restrict themselves to the existing free car parks (such as Mell) and the off street car parks (such as Bolton Square and the parking bays on one side of Fair Street). By allowing shoppers and residents access to the on street parking, workers will benefit from increased footfall at their workplaces and residents will not be affected.
‘I hope this period of free parking will allow the public to rediscover our amazing historical town of Drogheda. It is still packed with fantastic independent traders such as McAllister’s, The Fish Cart and Hurley Brothers. There are plenty of locally owned cafes and restaurants such as Artisan and D’Vine giving the town a unique cuisine. Sit back and enjoy a coffee without worrying about your parking ticket running out!,’ Mr McNamara declared.
Commenting to the Drogheda Independent, he says the whole situation has arisen due to poor legal attention to the bye laws when drawn up in 2001 and 2002.
‘It has essentially been an accident waiting to happen, particularly relating to the Drogheda Car Park Bye Laws which are exceptionally poor.
He feels the general view in Drogheda - since a new system was introduced in 2017 - is that the local population are being treated as a ‘cash cow’ by the council.
There is a ‘zero tolerance’ policy in relation to parking, which is bad for business, the workforce, the general population and the very morale of the town, ‘although Louth County Council may appreciate the revenue.’
He says the council have ‘ lost touch’ with the people on the pay parking issue.
Although they claim that the main function of the wardens is traffic management, the ‘zero tolerance’ administration of the fines system seems to have superseded that objective.
‘ There is a huge increase in footfall in the town which is great to see after a few years of the town often feeling deserted.
‘Obviously the increased traffic brings it’s own problems so I would ask workers parking all day to keep the off-street car parks in mind and to think of residents who need access to parking. I believe this has particularly been an issue on the Chord Road, probably a knock on-effect from the closure of the Scarlet Street free car Park,’ Mr McNamara added.