Traders across the county step up free parking drive

A County Galway town is stepping up a campaign to introduce two hour free parking in an effort to prevent any further business closures.

It has been suggested by a group in Athenry that Galway County Council hold an emergency meeting to discuss paid parking in towns across the whole county.

The request has come from Sara Walls of the Athenry Revival Group who are now campaigning for free parking in the medieval town in order to save businesses.

The matter has come before several meetings of the five municipal councils across the county with members being told that any agreement would have to apply to every town where paid parking applies.

It is known that senior officials are reluctant to agree to a free parking arrangement as it is a major source of revenue for the local authority. However, they did agree to allowing free parking during certain periods in all towns last Christmas.

But there is a growing campaign across the main towns in County Galway to have a two hour free parking slot in the mornings – or else allow motorist two hours free parking regardless when they come into the towns.

In an email to all councillors, Ms. Walls expressed frustration over the fact that it had not been fully discussed at any Council meeting. She is also not impressed by responses from elected members of Galway County Council.

“As I confer with different county councillors I find that different information is given,” she said.

Referring to Athenry, she said she had scanned the paid-for car park at the church in the town on a recent early afternoon to discover that there were only nine cars parked. In the Church Street road section, there were just five cars there leading her to conclude that paid-for parking was not making money.

“Not only is the pay parking pricing people out of the town but it is probably running at a loss,” she said and asked what revenue was being collected from parking meters in Athenry on an annual basis.

She added: “There does seem to be a very long County Council route to voting on two hour free parking for Athenry.

“Athenry Revival Group is quite clear on the issue; there must be a short route now and the relevant roads county councillors can and should be given instruction to hold a short emergency meeting prior to the full County Council monthly meeting.

“The by-law can be changed very promptly. While I have full respect for anyone who is doing their job well, it is the end of the line for totally unjustified dilly-dallying on the free hour slots.

The slots need to be at any time of day to give true flexibility and choice to users,” Ms. Walls added.