Call to reinstate disabled parking space in Portarlington

Additional parking spaces were opened in Portarlington to offset the closure of spaces in Market Square, a recent meeting was told. 

Sinn Fein Cllr Aidan Mullins sought clarity on the issue at the latest meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District. 

He asked “that Laois County Council review its decision to remove the parking spaces, including a Disabled Parking Space, from the Market Square in Portarlington. ”

In a written response, Senior Planner in Laois County Council’s Planning Section, David O’Hara said “Under Planning permission 20/346 consent was granted for a residential development with access through the north-western corner of Market Square with the consequent loss of 11 car parking spaces. 

The developer has provided 12 car parking spaces immediately inside the entrance to Vignoles Gardens.  The loss of the car parking spaces within the square was required to provide safe access/egress to the housing development and to avoid conflict with cars parking in this area. The provision of car parking immediately adjacent to the square is considered satisfactory. The remainder of the square (outside the access roadway) will be utilised for public realm improvement works.”

Cllr Mullins pointed out that Vignoles Gardens was an enclosed area off the square. 

“It is an enclosed area off the square so members of the  public don’t know that those parking spaces are in there,” he said. 

He suggested the use of signs to highlight the new space and he also had concerns about the removal of the disabled parking space in the square. He said the removal of the spaces was a big loss to businesses on the square. 

Director of Services Gerry Murphy said there was a new disabled space in the enclosed area to replace the one that had been removed. 

He said he didn’t believe it would be possible to reinstate the parking but he said signage could be introduced. 

Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy said he felt the disabled car parking space was too far away. 

Cllr Mullins asked if the council might consider placing the disabled space outside a diner on the square. 

Mr Murphy said Senior Executive Engineer Philip McVeigh would take a look at it. 

Fine Gael PJ Kelly suggested placing the space parallel with the footpath to allow space on the road. 

He expressed concerns about the residents in the area being left without parking spaces as a result of the new spaces opening at the entrance to Vignoles Gardens.   

https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/your-community/1236861/laois-climb-raises-thousands-for-heart-health-in-memory-of-one-of-life-s-gentlemen.html

The council will now examine the possibility of putting the disabled space parallel to the path. They will also install signage to indicate the additional parking spaces.