Councillors refuse to pay €1 for car park
A draft of the new parking bye-laws for Gorey was presented to the councillors at last week’s Gorey Municipal District meeting by Mick McCormack from Wexford County Council.
Two significant parking zones for adoption proposed in the bye-laws was the change of Market Square from €2 all day to pay per hour parking, and a managed barrier €1 per entry at Gorey Town Park.
Majority of councillors agreed with the proposal for Market Square, but some strongly disagreed with the €1 entry at the Town Park resulting in the bye-law being opposed.
Cllr Malcolm Byrne pointed out that if pay parking is introduced in the Park then drivers will simply park in Allenwood Drive, Creagh Demense, La Verna and other nearby estates.
‘This will cause great difficulty for residents,’ added Cllr Byrne. ‘I am open to discussion about the others, but I strongly oppose this.’
District Manager Amanda Byrne said the Park is due to be completely renovated with top facilities. ‘We need to bring income in to pump it back into it,’ added Ms Byrne. ‘It is a small price to pay.’
Cllr Byrne disagreed and said no other public parks in the county have a charge. He proposed removing the bye-law on the Park and look at it once the Park is completed.
Cllr Pip Breen agreed with his fellow councillor and suggested re-visiting the proposal for the Park once it is done.
District Director Eddie Taffee said when the park is completed, the annual maintenance cost will be huge.
‘That money will need to be raised some way because facilities like that require good maintenance,’ added Mr Taffee.
Cllr John Hegarty said staff in the town need to move aside to allow Market Square become a pay per hour car park. ‘Gorey is a developing town and we need the space for visitors,’ added Cllr Hegarty.
Ms Byrne agreed, adding the fact Market Square car park is close to the town centre.
The councillors could not come to an agreement about the Town Park, and Cllr Byrne proposed removing the bye-law of pay parking at the Town Park.
‘I am against that, I think we should propose charging €1 per day during business hours only,’ added Cllr Anthony Donohoe. The votes for the two proposals came to a tie. Cllr Sullivan was in favour of Cllr Byrne’s proposal, and decided to vote to remove the bye-law of pay parking at the Park.