£2 FINE AS TRAFFIC WARDENS ARRIVE ON TOWN STREETS
August 1977
MOTORISTS who infringe the parking bye-laws in Drogheda will shortly get their first taste of on-the-spot fines when traffic wardens begin pacing the streets of the town.
At present the Corporation is in the course of recruiting this staff—initially there will be two—and then it will be over to the Garda authorities for a short training period to fit the wardens for their new roles.
News of the new appointment met with a mixed reception from traders this week, particularly from the Shop Street businessmen who continue to “feel sore.” about the parking situation in which they find themselves . Only last week these Shop Street traders threatened to withhold rates unless something was done soon to improve matters on this busy, but congested street.
Before they bring out these wardens something should be done to provide us with proper car-parking facilities” declared Mr . Joe Thomas. “If the cars are put off the street they must have somewhere to go.”
Traders’ Association boss. Mr. Hubert Tully salid that while they all appreciated that taking the cars off the streets would improve the flow of traffic through the town and that this, in turn, could help trade, it was “incumbent on the authorities to provide alternative off-street parking facilities “. Provision would have to be made for at least 200 displaced vehicles .
Colr Donnchadha MacRaghnaill pointed out that there was good parking facilities adjacent to Shop Street is the nearby Mall and also in the Haymarket. He proposed, however, that a special meeting of the Corporation be called as soon as possible “to iron out this whole question of off-street parking “. .He saw the provision of a car park along the north side of John Street as a desirable and worthwhile project but felt that this was very much in the long term.
On-the-spot fines. when introduced, will cost the offending motorist £2. A week’s grace is allowed for payment .