Meeting hears claim that people being illegally fined for parking violations
Why are there not more litter and dog wardens to hand out fines as well?
IT has been claimed that Louth County Council has been acting beyond its powers in issuing fines to motorists illegally parked in town.
The €40 fine was raised by a speaker who said the charge was illegal in ‘90% of parking spaces’ in Drogheda and the council had been informed of the claim.
The fraud squad has been contacted in relation to the claim.
It is believed the sum of the fine is not part of the bye-laws in respect of parking locally.
It was also claimed that motorists are proving ‘easy targets’ for revenue for Louth County Council who were urged to go after other aspects of the town as well.
One man remarked, ‘If you park illegally, expect to get fined but perhaps the fine should be reduced.
‘But it’s like shooting fish in a barrel. The car driver is an easy get.
‘I would ask how many litter wardens are there and dog wardens?.
He said that it’s harder for the council to secure convictions for those littering and allowing their dogs to dirty the streets so they concentrate on motorists.
The question of parking costs were also raised, with Dundalk cheaper than Drogheda.
Mayor Pio Smith felt that was connected to the fact that a BIDS scheme exists in the North Louth town.
‘ To be fair to the traffic wardens, they are doing their job but I know tickets impact on businesses. I was even done three times myself before Christmas.
‘ The wardens get their instructions and collection rates have gone up.
‘But the Chief Executive Joan Martin will allow us abolish fees if we can come up with an alternative.’
Cllr Frank Godfrey said he felt there was a ‘ lack of flexibility’ in terms of parking.
‘ The council have to accept that people are trying to keep business in the town but there seems to be no flexibility or grace for tickets.
‘However, I do accept the wardens have a difficult job to do.’
Another speaker suggested going down the Dublin route and upgrading the system to ‘ Text to Park’ - allowing people to top up on their time.