Workers unhappy at car parking proposal

March 2004

OVER 400 local employees have put their name to a petition protesting against Bray Town Council’s proposed new car parking arrangements.

The petition is being spearheaded by local man Brian O’Kelly who believes the council’s plans for parking in the town once the Florence Road Car Park closes will penalise the people who bring so much to the town: the workers.

At a special meeting of Bray Town Council in January it was agreed that areas of the Seafront which had been free of charge would accommodate long-term disc parking.

However, the people who have signed the petition believe that the council’s plans is putting people who work in the town in a potentially dangerous situtation.

‘Our main concern is security -security of keyholders, elderly staff or women employees who will be faced with a long walk to and from their place of work.

‘This will leave them vulnerable to attack from criminals whoe will not be deterred by the presence of CCTV cameras,’ Brian O’Kelly said.

In a written submission to the council, Mr O’Kelly has suggested that a proportion of the Herbert Road Car Park - which is due to become entirely short term in the coming weeks - remain long term parking.

‘We propose that 20 per cent be made available to long term users on a first-come, first-served basis at a reasonable rate per day.

‘We would also like the former all-day onstreet parking at Wyndham Park, Florence Road, Seymour Road, Ravenswell Road and Connolly Square to be reinstated immediately,’ Mr O’Kelly explained.

The matter was raised at Tuesday night’s meeting of Bray Town Council.

Cllr Joe Behan said: ‘There is a difficulty with parking and maybe we should reconsider the issue to ease the difficulty of the workers.’

Cllr Anne Ferris concurred and said it was not safe for women to be walking to the Seafront at night.

Cllr Pat Vance urged caution before making.