Gorey parking an ongoing concern

ALWAYS a heated topic at Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District, the future of the old St Joseph’s site was raised by Councillor Anthony Donohoe after he received requests for the housing plans to be looked at again, with a view to having a car park on site instead.

‘I’m not going to be popular for saying this but the St Joseph’s site, I know we have a plan in place to put houses there but should we revisit that? Are we going to be regretting that decision in 40-60 years time that we missed the greatest opportunity for parking in the town,’ he said.

This led to a wider discussion on parking and transport facilities in the town, but demolition work on the site is expected for early January as a contractor has been appointed. Members expect to revisit the topic at the January meeting, but director of services Eddie Taaffe said that in the next part of the planning stages, members can decide to accept or reject the plans.

Although the members generally agreed that more parking facilities in the town are needed, there was a mixed response to Anthony’s suggestion of going back to the drawing board.

‘I’d be reluctant to look at this as we did have a long discussion around this and have made the application for much-needed social housing on that site.

‘I’m proposing that we continue to progress with that as a lot of this is going to the land of speculation,’ said Cllr Byrne.

Cllr Sullivan disagreed with Anthony that this would be the last chance Gorey has for parking close to the town.

‘The car park due to close down on November 30 is even more central to the town and would be equally suitable. Wexford County Council could invest in that tomorrow and there are and will be opportunities in the town. I’d like to see a two or three storey car park, suitable for 1,000 cars, and that would generate revenue.

‘Even for the Christmas period, would the Council consider renting it so we are not down a certain number of spaces?’

It was pointed out by the director of services that there could be high insurance costs associated with that car park. This led on to a discussion on the future of parking in Gorey.

‘We have previously mentioned a transport hub at the railway station. It will be something to look at,’ said Cllr Byrne.

‘We are soon going to have to look at the issue of parking, particularly if the Market House is going ahead,’ said Cllr Kenny.

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux suggested a special meeting on parking and transport, which was agreed with by Cllr Byrne.

Eddie Taaffe suggested conducting a parking utilisation study, in a representative month such as in spring or autumn.

‘With regard to the St Joseph’s site, as far as I’m concerned the decision has been made on that site. It has been approved from department and designs are well advanced,’ he said.

Cllr Donohoe said he understood the process had gone on this far, but suggested that some years down the line it could be changed back to housing after the car park has served its purpose.

Cllr Ó’Súilleabhain asked whether the demolition works would happen by Christmas, as he has received complaints from residents.

‘It’s still a drugs den with a lot of anti social behaviour,’ he said.

In relation to Christmas parking arrangements, councillors heard it’s usually the Wednesday before Christmas that changes are applied.

‘ The off-street car parks and parking will most likely be free from 11 a.m. onwards. Retailers complained that when the parking is provided free, there’s no added benefit as it is just taken up by people and workers who use it, who maybe wouldn’t usually,’ said Michael Drea.