Council can't afford free weekend parking
The Dublin Road has seen plenty of roadworks in recent years. Is day-long pay parking on the way now?
CLLR Frank Gallagher wants to see free parking in Drogheda town centre at the weekends in a bid to bring business back to the heart of the town.
However, the county manager said it would take too much from council funds.
The Newfield councillor made the proposal at the recent borough council meeting, where he suggested the scheme be brought in on a pilot basis.
'One major problem facing the traders is the free parking that is available at the large retail parks on the outskirts of the town,' he said, 'and following the success of the free parking at Christmas, I think we should introduce free weekend parking in the town centre, on a trial basis.
'Yes, there will be lost revenue to the council, but we are getting no rates from the vacant premises and businesses are suffering, so it's swings and roundabouts.'
Cllr Gallagher pointed out that the real problem was in granting permission to the retail outlets in the first place, and 'we have to look at the impact all this growth has had on existing retailers.'
County Manager Conn Murray responded that the idea of free parking sounds good but would have a direct economic impact on the council funds.
'We have worked closely with the chamber, and the blame for what is happening cannot be placed at our table,' he said.
'I believe we have done what we can during a difficult economy, and we have a responsibility to maintain our own financial stability.'
- Alison COMYN
