Wardens urged to get into the spirit

Traffic wardens in Tuam have been asked to show some festive spirit, after ticketing shoppers in a blitz on the town’s streets and public carparks.

Cllr Donagh Killilea said there was a significant amount of tickets over the past week, with confusion over the Christmas free parking.

There is free on- and off-street parking from 11am each day in December in Tuam, Athenry, Ballinasloe, Loughrea and Gort. However, Cllr Killilea said he received a number of complaints over traffic warden activity in Tuam.

“There seems to be a large volume of parking tickets over the last week, in particular in the Dublin Road, Circular Road and Vicar Street areas.

“Most of the calls are from members of the public and are in relation to the free parking.

“There is a perception that free parking means no traffic wardens and this is not the case. We have free parking for December, but people need to be aware that normal parking laws apply when it comes to double yellow lines.

“I have contacted the Director of Services for Roads, Liam Gavin, and asked him to look into the matter and given the season of goodwill that discretion be applied by the wardens at this time of year,” he said.