This article is from page 11 of the 2011-11-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
WITH pedestrianisation due to be in place in Ennis for two days in December, there have been further calls for a reduction in parking charges.
Yesterday’s meetings of councillors in the Ennis Electoral Areas (East and West) heard calls for changes in parking policy.
Cllr James Breen (Ind) said that “two-hour free parking should be put in place daily in Ennis for a trial period of three months”.
Cllr Breen said the trial could benefit shoppers and businesses. He told the meeting that the one-hour parking limit in place in parts of the town centre was an inconvenience for many shoppers. He said this was particularly the case for women going to hairdressers to have “highlights put in their hair”. He said women were often in the salon for more than an hour.
Cllr Tom McNamara (FF) said current parking limits are an “awful hindrance” for rural shoppers. He said that many people are now opting to shop in Limerick instead.
In response, Town Clerk Leonard Cleary stated, “At the November meeting of Ennis Town Council, the possibility of an incentivised parking scheme to stimulate the Christmas shopping market was discussed. This matter is being further researched. Consultation with the business community has been arranged”. Mr Cleary stated that views from the Ennis Area Committees would be considered by Ennis Town Council.
Cllr Pat Daly called on the council to consider allocating the first hour of parking to shoppers in Ennis free of charge on a trial basis.
Cllr Daly said this would assist rate-paying businesses, many of whom he described as “struggling to survive”.
Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) requested that members of Fine Gael and Labour should lobby the government to ensure parking charges are made exempt from a proposed increased in VAT.
Town Manager Ger Dollard said yesterday that the current parking regime has been designed to ensure a high turnover of spaces.
Mr Dollard said there is a good mix of short- and long-term parking spaces in Ennis.
Ennis Town Council is proposing to pedestrianise Abbey Street from its junction with Francis Street to O’Connell Square; O’Connell Square and O’Connell Street from O’Connell Square to its junction with Station Road.
It is proposed that the areas will be closed to traffic from 11am to 6pm on December 17 and 24.