Shop Street traders unhappy after parking tickets are handed out

DROGHEDA’S SHOP STREET (pictured) traders gave notice this week that they are witholding payment of the second moiety of the rates until such time as positive action is taken by the authorities to iron out the chaotic parking set-up on the street.

And in a comment by one of the traders it was claimed that if the powers that be did their utmost to devise a parking situation calculated to inflict maximum damage to the street’s business they could scarcely have done a better job.

The traders also claim that the street is experiencing an alarming drop in turnover since last October when parking tickets started being issued in “trigger-happy” fashion.

A hard-hitting statement, copies of which have been sent to the Mayor, four T.D.’s, Co. Manager, Minister for the Environment and Chief Supt, states: “Our dissatisfaction has from time to time been brought to your attention, the most recent occasion being less than two months ago when Mr. Brendan Hoey, the Town Clerk, agreed to meet three of our members and the problems were discussed in some depth. Mr. Hoey fully appreciated and was sympathetic to the street’s predicament.

“We all find it ludicrous that huge vehicles are permitted to unload daily in our street for prolonged spells for the. benefit of a major store chain in West Street, while at the same time customers in ordinary cars taking up far less space are pounced upon if they chance parking for 10 to 15 minutes in an effort to get a bit of shopping done.

“These cars are not even permitted to park for short periods in nearby Bachelors Lane. In the meantime the big undisturbed vans and lorry continue to make the street resemble a second class dock area.”

The traders say they are particularly unhappy at the failure of the authorities to prohibit these heavy vehicles from unloading alongside their shops and their failure to provide even restricted parking facilities for ordinary shoppers.

The situation remains so intolerable, they say, that they feel they have no option other then to formally give notice that payment of the second moiety of their rates will be witheld until such time as positive action is taken to comply with the very basic requirements outlined.