It is unacceptable for NUI, Galway not to provide a proper park and ride facility and unacceptable for students, or “mannerless future academics,” to park illegally in areas of Newcastle.
This is the view of Labour councillor Billy Cameron. He has accused NUIG of “failing to provide a proper park and ride facility” near the Corrib Village student residences and criticised students who park illegally in the Newcastle estates.
Cllr Cameron has facilitated numerous meetings over the last five years between residents’ associations and NUIG to advance parking solutions in the Newcastle area.
However he said he was “bitterly disappointed” with the final outcome, which he said was not a park and ride centre but a “glorified car park quite a distance from any lecture theatre” which on any given day is only 25 per cent full and is “totally under-utilised”.
Cllr Cameron said that since the beginning of this semester, students have “taken it upon themselves” to seek out the availability of free on-street parking close to the campus which has led to parking in some estates and part of Newcastle Upper.
“I have been inundated with calls from irate residents who have been verbally abused by students who park illegally in front of driveways and in turning bays of estates,” he said.
Cllr Cameron is now calling on the Galway City Council’s transport and infrastructure department to come up with suggestions and maps of a yellow lining system for part of Newcastle Upper, Moyola Park, and Inchagoill Road, which can be put to residents for approval and maybe implemented early in the New Year.
The Labour councillor will be calling for an adjustment in the parking ratio system in relation to NUIG in the forthcoming review of the City Development Plan. He wants to see an increase in the ratio to provide more parking spaces per class.
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