Louth residents ‘trapped’ by parents double parking cars for kids football matches

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

People living in a busy residential area close to schools and a sports field are “trapped in their homes” during school drop offs and football matches, a Dundalk councillor warned.

Cllr. Ciaran Fisher asked Louth County Council to “survey, prepare and give a projected cost on the installation of parking bays on Bellewsbridge Road, opposite Pairc Eoin Baiste, to alleviate the issues causing by parking during school drop off and collection times, and on match days at the pitch.”

In a written response, the council did not recommend installing “expensive additional parking bays” but proposed other options including ‘stakeholder collaboration’ ie engaging with the local soccer club “to promote responsible parking behaviour through signage and direct communication, reducing congestion during peak times.”

The local authority also suggested the “optimisation of existing facilities” such as car parks at the credit union and at Fatima Church

Cllr. Fisher said these options had been explored but “did not work”.

He described the third option presented by the council – traffic management measures such as double yellow lines across critical kerb sections and enhances signage – as “only going to make matters worse as at the moment people are just parking up on footpaths.”

Cllr. Fisher said the options presented by the local authority weren’t feasible, adding that he had submitted the motion to ask the council if they would examine installing additional parking bays.

Cllr. Sean Kelly said the issues in Fatima have been raised many times by councillors. He added that some of the problems arise from the fact that the Fatima estate was built over 70 years ago and does not accommodate modern households where there are two and three cars parking.

He said there was active work being done by both Shamrocks F.C and the Fatima residents association to alleviate some of the problems. But, he admitted “it isn’t working in the way everyone would like it to.”

"But Cllr. Fisher is right, we do need a long term solution, and additional parking,” said Cllr. Kelly, adding that residents are often not able to park outside their own homes.

Cllr. Emma Coffey said she had seen for herself the parking problems in the area. She said the church car park was less than 300 metres away from the pitch, with a lot of parking.

"I have seen it myself that cars are double parked because parents won’t walk the 300 metres. I don’t think it is the children, they are suited and booted for football and ready to run.”

She added that signage advising of residents only parking was being ignored.

"There are people who cannot even get into their cars because they are being blocked in, it is not fair.”

She said “a bit of community conscience” for people who live in the area would make a big difference.