Pay parking could be on way to the Friary
PAY parking is ‘under consideration’ at the Franciscan Friary in Wexford with a view to being introduced early next year.
Parking fees generate significant income for Rowe Street and Bride Street churches every year but up to now parking has been free in the grounds of the Friary which closes the rear section of its popular town centre car park at 2 p.m. each day.
Now the Friary is considering the introduction of hourly parking charges in order to raise income for necessary maintenance on the car park, the Friary Guardian Fr. Aquino Thomas Maliakkal confirmed on Monday.
‘It’s not finalised. It is being considered’, said Fr. Aquino, adding that the estimated cost of re-lining and re-surfacing the car park is approximately €40,000, funding which the Friary does not have.
Heavy snowfalls earlier this year, caused damage to the surface of the car park which is the last remaining free parking facility in Wexford town.
Pay parking on the basis of an hourly rate could be introduced from January or February onwards with the charge being compatible with other car parks in the vicinity.
‘We would have to see what is charged by other nearby places including churches. We don’t want to create competition. We would probably set it at the same price’, said Fr. Aquino. The cost of parking in Rowe Street Church is currently €1.50 an hour while it’s €1.40 an hour in a private car park close by, the same rate as on-street Council parking.
The 40-space car park would operate 24 hours a day, charging an hourly rate for parking, with motorists required to purchase pay and display tickets. It is likely that a ticket-operated barrier will not be erected as this would prove expensive. The pay parking would be enforced by a private company but the details of this have not been finalised.
Parking would be free during and immediately preceding Mass times and there would be a set-down area for people visiting the church for short periods or calling to the Friary office to purchase Mass cards or attend Confession.
Fr. Aquino said the Friars are very concerned that the grounds would continue to be available for the benefit of church-goers as a priority and not simply serve as a public car park.