Louth councillor ‘wouldn’t be against pay parking’ in Ardee

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

A Louth councillor said he “wouldn’t be against pay parking” as a solution to the parking chaos in Ardee.

Cllr. Jim Tenanty said he would not rule out pay parking as an option for solving what he referred to as an “untenable situation” in the mid Louth town, where all day parking is common on streets and residential roads.

The Independent Councillor submitted a motion to the July meeting of Ardee Municipal District, proposing that the council carry out an “urgent review of the parking in Ardee as a result of the delay and objections to the Ardee bypass.”

Cllr. Tenanty told the meeting that regulations should be examined in relation to the current parking system in Ardee. He added that funds were being used for traffic wardens in the town, but highlighted concerns around enforcement.

"All day parking in residential areas is now very common, and we have a situation where carers cannot access houses of elderly people because of the lack of parking they face.”

Cllr. Rachel Kerley said she would support the motion, adding that designated parking is needed for commuters who, like herself, are travelling by bus to Dublin.

Cllr. John Sheridan agreed, adding that the long term viability of a designated ‘park and share’ was clear. "There are no parking facilities. We need to re-focus on the park and share.”

Cllr. Pearse McGeough called for a traffic management plan for the whole town.

Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Dolores Minogue, told the meeting: “We are not talking about re-introducing pay parking, I would not support that.”

Cllr. Tenanty said his motion was asking for a review, but added: “It may be one of the solutions.”

He added that one of the major issues was staff working in local shops and businesses parking all day in the town’s main streets.

"I wouldn’t be against pay parking, I am saying it here publicly, but the motion I have put forward states that a review of the parking bylaws be carried out.”

He told the meeting that some of the private car parks had introduced enforcement measures in a bid to curb any misuse.

The Cathaoirleach added that she was “totally against pay parking” adding that in relation to the traffic problems overall: “Just because some people don’t want the bypass..everyone else in the town shouldn’t have to suffer.”