CUTBACK IN FREE PARKING AT CHRISTMAS

FEWER DAYS AND NO ON-STREET SPACES

FREE PARKING in Wexford town in the run-up to Christmas will be offered for just two days this year, in comparison to a full week last year...and it will apply only to council car parks.

Wexford County Council have clarified their arrangements for free parking, designating December 22, 23 and 24 as free parking days. However, December 23 is a Sunday so free parking would apply already.

The free parking (on Saturday and Monday) will not apply to on-street spaces as, according to council communications manager David Minogue, it is hoped that this will allow for a turnover of spaces in the town centre.

Free parking will apply in car parks at Paul Quay, Wellington Place, Hill Street, Crescent Quay, Ferrybank and High Street. He said that previous arrangements had not been entirely successful because it had been alleged that townbased employees had taken up the free parking spaces.

It is a considerable cutback on previous years. Last year, free parking was available, for six days, in all council spaces from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday, December 18 to Saturday, December 23.

Reacting to this year’s arrangements, councillor and town-based employer Lisa McDonald said the plan was not in the spirit of the season, pointing out that while there had been issues over the parking last year, employers and employees were part of the economy of the town and had to park somewhere.

She hoped the initiative would be looked at again in the future.

There were no complaints, however, from the Wexford Retail Group who said that the town was extremely busy and retailers were happy with the season so far and the effort being put in to Wexford’s Christmas experience.

Brian Byrne, of Lantern, is a member of the Wexford Retail Group and he was unaware of the changes to parking arrangements.

He did not know if they would affect people but said he’d heard no complaints so far.

‘I think you have to look at everything as a whole, rather than in piecemeal.

‘The town looks great; the council has put a lot of work into installing new Christmas lights, the events on the quay and in the town have all come together, and there is a general feeling of positivity in the town. The retailers are happy. Parking might be an issue for some customers, I don’t know, but so far everyone is happy.’

Wexford Chamber President Niall Reck was unavailable for comment.