PARKING BYE-LAWS TO GO ON DISPLAY
THE clear message according to local councillors attending last Wednesday’s special meeting on the new draft bye-laws on parking is that Drogheda is not ready for free parking.
The chaos caused in the town and surrounds since the pay parking was suspended last month was highlighted by all attending the meeting, with all citing complaints from residents, traders, commuters and local workers.
‘I am motivated to support putting these draft bye-laws out for public consultation by what I have witnessed, with places like Anneville Crescent, Windmill Road and the Chord Road, not to mention the town centre, under siege from all day parking,’ said Labour Cllr Paul Bell.
Cllr Frank Godfrey said he had never seen the town in such disarray in 35 years as a public representative.
‘Business has been badly affected in the town ever since the suspension, and my big concern is whether submissions will be taken seriously from the public and will anyone be held accountable for this fiasco happening in the first place?’
Cllr Oliver Tully said it highlighted the need for a charge in the first place.
‘Now we see why we must have pay parking in the town, with the centre now choked by people looking for spaces,’ he said.
‘However, I don’t agree with Clr Callan’s proposal for equalisation in the rate, unless we charge Dundalk and Drogheda €1.10 each, so no one loses out.’
It’s estimated that Louth County Council will suffer around €300,000 to €400,000 in lost revenue as a result of the suspension.
Louth County Council Chief Executive Joan Martin said all submissions by the public would be taken seriously and also dismissed Cllr Godfrey’s call for Park and Ride facilities for workers on the outskirts of the town.
‘In my opinion, there is more than enough parking in Drogheda,’ she told the meeting.