Anger as ‘sneaky’ parking fines issued
Dundalk motorists have hit out at the re-introduction of pay parking fines as lockdown measures are eased.
Parking fines in the town centre were not officially suspended during the Covid-19 restrictions, but Louth County Council confirmed that ‘discretion’ was being applied, particularly in relation to essential workers.
The restrictions saw vastly reduced levels of traffic in the town centre.
But as Phase 2 of the re-opening began earlier this month, a wide variety of businesses have now opened their doors again, with car parks and parking bays much busier as a result.
Traffic wardens are now fully enforcing pay parking regulations, and fines are being issued, which some motorists say was not well publicised.
Local woman Una Durnin contacted the Argus to highlight what she felt was an ‘unfair’ incident in a centre of town car park last week
‘Over the past number of months there has been no pay parking in operation. Today I was parked in Boyds car park and received a parking ticket as did 99% of the cars parked there. I just think this is so unfair. I feel there should have been notices or announcement made.’
She added: ‘At this very difficult time people are under enough pressure without added stress. I was collecting medication for my partner. I feel this is really unfair,’ said one Dundalk woman.
The reintroduction of pay parking across the county has caught many motorists off guard, with another adding: ‘I must admit, I found this a bit sneaky, especially as there didn’t seem to be any warning, and we technically are still in a pandemic situation, even if some shops have been allowed to return.’
‘I feel there should have been a notification – even a sticker on the machines, like they do at Christmas – but there was nothing to say it was back,” said the man.
“I know at the start, some people even tried to pay and it wouldn’t accept it, and I’m not sure did we miss a notice in the paper or something, but I know essential workers were grateful, but there should have been some warning about it being stopped.
He added: ‘I even tried to go to the offices last week to appeal the fine, but ironically, they’re still closed due to the pandemic.’
Louth County Council was contacted for comment and they issued a short statement.
‘As per the Government guidelines pay parking was not suspended but Louth County Council was exercising discretion in relation to essential workers.”
They did not respond to whether there was notification given to motorists.