Parking charges to return on July 18th with no other changes

PAY parking charges in Drogheda will be restored on Wednesday July 18th, some four months after the suspension over a legal challenge to the previous Bye Laws.

Passing of the new draft pay parking and car parking Bye Laws for Drogheda was unanimously supported at the June council meeting in Drogheda, but not without an angry exchange of words.

Louth County Council CEO Joan Martin estimates there has been an almost €500,000 shortfall in the annual budget due to loss of revenue. Hundreds of submissions outlining parking concerns in Drogheda were received, however none of them will be addressed until pay-parking charges have been restored.

One of the main sticking points remains Cllr Kevin Callan’s proposal to reduce the parking charge from €1.20 to €1, in line with our neighbours in Dundalk. Concern was raised that changing the charge ahead of the Bye-Laws being implemented would necessitate starting the public process again.

“Our own priority is to get the Bye-Laws passed and pay-parking reinstated, so we can restore the status quo from March 4th,” said Ms Martin.“There will be a further loss of €250,000 if we try to change the parking charge now. The town has enjoyed free parking for the past four months, and really shouldn’t complain.”

Accompanied by shouts of displeasure from the public gallery at that comment, Cllr Kevin Callan said, “no one in the town asked for free parking, and Drogheda is now a mess because of it”.

“If we don’t equalise the price now, we mightn’t get another chance, and I’m sure Dundalk won’t agree to a raise,” pointed out Cllr Callan, who is now the Deputy Mayor.

Although his proposal met with some support, the suggestion of a separate meeting to discuss this, post approval of the Bye Laws, was approved. Other submissions which were raised also caused controversy, particularly the issue of resident’s-only parking on one side of Windmill Road.

“I need a commitment that the uniqueness of the situation in the Windmill Road will be taken seriously,” said Fianna Fail councillor Tommy Byrne. “I don’t think anyone would object to the getting fair treatment.” However, once again Ms Martin said it was not so simple to say it was unique. “I have a whole county to deal with, and we can’t expect people in others estate not to object,” she replied. “We can’t make any changes without putting the drafts on display again, and that would delay everything another three months.”