Laois council told to speed up parking limits to tackle town's 'huge problem'

The introduction of time limited parking must be accelerated in Durrow according to a public representative who has been told that public consultation is about to begin more than a year and half since limits were mooted.

Cllr Ollie Clooney, Independent, raised the issue with Laois County Council officials at a recent meeting where a car park for the town was also called for.

He tabled a motion calling on the Council to carry out a study for the purpose of introducing a two hour parking limit in Durrow.

 Mr. Adrian Barrett, SE, Roads, replied in writing confirming the council is about to get the wheels moving on restrictions.

“A report has recently been carried out by the parking department and we are planning on advertising to engage with the public in Q1 2023,” he said.

The council first indicated in March 2021 to Cllr Clooney and other councillors that Durrow was on the list for time limited parking when bylaws for Mountrath were approved by the public representatives.

Cllr Clooney urged the council to  speed up the process when he met with officials in November.

“This needs to be speeded up. Everyone knows there is limited parking in Durrow. Unfortunately some of parking is abused with cars and vans left all day. Nobody wants to see fines but parking is a huge problem especially in the summer. We are losing business as a result,” he said.

Cllr Clooney added that a car park was “definitely needed” for Durrow.

His fellow independent Cllr James Kelly agreed and said the limits have worked in Mountrath.

“It is working really well thanks to the council staff and buy-in from the business,” he said.

However, he believed part of the success is due the availability of a parking lot for people who work in the town. 

“There is no point  in having  two hour parking limits if we don’t have a parking facility for staff who work in business,” he said.

While he added that a loading bay, age friendly and disability parking is also needed he agreed that it can work.

“It works in Mountrath and I can’t see why it can’t succeed in Durrow,” he said.

Cllr John King, Fine Gael, also backed the proposal.

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The issue was raised at the Borris-in-Osory Mountmelllick Municipal District meeting in November.