Green candidate: Killarney doesn’t need more car-parking spaces

GREEN Party Kerry General Election candidate Cleo Murphy has said that Killarney doesn’t need to increase its number of parking spaces in order to support full-time pedestrianisation of Plunkett Street.

Mr Murphy’s comments followed a Kerry County Council report into trials of day-time pedestrianisation of Plunkett Street, which has been pedestrianised at night-time, from 7pm until 7am, since March 2018.

These day-time trials took place in March, April, and also during the summer.

Among the concerns outlined by the report were a lack of parking and the impact of pedestrianisation on traffic flow.

But Ms Murphy said what the town needs is wider footpaths, a town bus service, an increase in segregated cycle paths, and pedestrian priority at road junctions.

“Killarney currently has 1,900 public parking spaces and 900 privately operated spaces,” she said.

“The town doesn’t need to increase the number of car parking spaces.

“It already suffers severe traffic delays throughout the year. Increasing parking will only exacerbate the issue.

“Older people, parents with small children, tourists and everyone who enjoys rambling through town will benefit from reducing motor traffic.

“It also makes the town accessible to those with mobility issues, so long as they get priority parking close to the centre.

“Incentivise walking, cycling and provide a local bus service and you have a recipe for success.”