Sullivan demands no ‘pay and display’ in residential areas
CLLR Joe Sullivan has called for the pay parking bylaws to be amended, once again, at last week’s Gorey Municipal District meeting, stating ‘pay and display’ at Eire Street, Cluainin and Coislinne is unnecessary.
Residents were informed last month by Gorey Municipal District that visitor parking permits will no longer be issued because a new set of bylaws were reviewed, prepared and adopted. The bylaw is to prevent all-day parking outside residential areas due to home-owners struggling to find parking near their home, or sometimes even on the street.
Eddie Taaffe, director of services, said they are not free to amend the bylaws for another six months after councillors requested Gorey Town Park does not become a pay-parking zone.
‘I drove those streets three times at peak times,’ said Cllr Sullivan. ‘I can assure you that almost all the cars were belonging to a house.’
Cllr Sullivan said the introduction of pay parking in those areas is just a further obstacle for family members or carers to drop in.
‘It is hard not to see this as a revenue grab,’ said Cllr Sullivan. ‘If it was a busy shopping street well then I would understand, but it isn’t.’
Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabhain said he does not see any evidence for a demand for it.
Cllr Malcolm Byrne suggested having a maximum one hour parking area there to prevent people from coming in all day. ‘At least that way family and carers are still come in as well,’ he added.
Chairman of Gorey Municipal District Cllr John Hegarty assured councillors that carers are not affected by the decision.
‘Residents and carers still get permits,’ said Amanda Byrne, district manager. ‘They just need to apply for a permit online or fill out a form.’
Cllr Hegarty said to look at it for at least a year to see how it goes.
‘Why doesn’t a traffic warden go up there in the morning and take note of the cars,’ said Cllr Anthony Donohoe. ‘If they are there for more than three hours or so then fine them if not a resident.’