Paid parking issue leads to strong debate at Ballinasloe Town Council
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
THE ISSUE of paid parking was again a heated topic at Thursday's Ballinasloe Town Council meeting. Cllr A McGrath suggested a notion of motion to the councillors;
"that Ballinasloe Town Council will, by way of a subcommittee of elected members and executive officers, review the pay parking regulations in order that amendments to its operation might be considered which would better reflect the adverse trading conditions now evident in the Town Centre."
The motion was seconded by Cllr Broderick but was met with silence from the other councillors.
Cllr McGrath who runs his business on Dunlo Street, suggested the motion so as to increase the number of people coming into the town and to get more cars to use the pay parking system by offering them incentives such as cheaper parking on select days.
Cllr Walsh was the first to reply stating, " I am not in favour of setting up a subcommittee; pay parking is vital for the town and the Town Enhancement Plan is being paid from it. I think it would credit an expectation that wouldn't be realised."
Cllr Kelly agreed, "I think there are more important issues to deal with. We have set up a cost effective way for paying for parking and if we want to move on with our plans for the town we need the funding that the paid parking generates."
Cllr Grealy stated that "paid parking is not unique to Ballinasloe, we can commiserate with business people regarding downfall of customers but there is a recession everywhere. Business isn't down from paid parking and if people don't want to pay we have the luxury of providing two free car parks.
It's time we started promoting the free parking and by keeping our rates for businesses at zero we are supporting businesses and to do that we need the revenue generated by the paid parking."
Fellow businessman Cllr Concannon felt strongly about the motion put forward by Cllr. McGrath. "I am delighted to see that the motion was not accepted, I was not an elected member of the council when the paid parking went through but as a businessman I am very happy with it.
Contrary to rumours, this decision does not rest on any one of the member's shoulders to change the paid parking system. Prior to it coming into effect there was traffic congestion on the streets and companies had refused to deliver to my store due to lack of parking. The fact remains that the revenue made has been put straight back into the town.
The prospect of the subcommittee is not necessary and would create a false impression that something will change."
Town clerk Alan Farrell stated that " there has been an increased turnover from short term paid parking and that is generating a significant amount of funding."
Cllr McGrath responded "this is not an attack on paid parking, I find it very disheartening to see Dunlo Street empty on certain days. Is it not upon us to review situations? My suggestion is to use it to our advantage. My intention was as a Council that we could be mature and get away from the bitter comments received."
The motion was not put through with seven Councillors against it and two for it.
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