Council rule out county wide survey of estate parking

Cavan County Council has ruled out conducting a countywide “survey” of parking availability within local authority housing estates across the county.

The knock-back was delivered by the executive following a motion by Independent Shane P. O’Reilly’s who demanded a “review” on the basis that many households have more than one car and this was leading to “bottlenecks” in some areas.

He said cars are being parked on footpaths and this was causing its own “issues” for people in wheelchairs and mothers pushing prams.

Cllr O’Reilly highlighted how in some cases fire tenders or other emergency services could not get past due to cars parked on both sides of the road.

Fianna Fáil’s Clifford Kelly supported the motion. He said problems are developing in the Kingscourt area, while his party colleague Aiden Fitzpatrick said the same is being experienced in Cootehill.

Craig Lovett (FF) suggested a “survey” of all parking available in estates locally.

Fine Gael’s TP O’Reilly claimed it was “very hard” to get into some estates now with the parking issues that have arisen.

Cllrs Patricia Walsh (FF), Trevor Smith (FG) and Sarah O’Reilly (Aon) also supported the motion.

Director of Services Paddy Connaughton said that the policy of the council was to promote a reduction in car dependency.

He said it might be possible to examine some local authority estates as a “pilot scheme”.

Fellow executive member Brendan Jennings said that each house was allocated two spaces, and not “one per person” living at the property.

This was measured and included in the development plan.

Eoin Doyle meanwhile added that the guidelines were “clear”.

He also stated that the ability to carry out such a survey would need to be seen in the context of “difficult budgetary constraints”.

The Smarter Travel Scheme, he said, was there to encourage “more sustainable modes of transport”.

He said it was “possible” the council could look at carrying out a survey, but stressed it would be a significant “body of work” to complete.

“Three wise men,” retorted Cllr O’Reilly. “No good news.”

TP O’Reilly said he was hopeful a “pilot scheme” might still materialise.

“This is a problem. It’s not an issue that people want to be parked right at their door. It’s getting parks at all is the problem.”