A one-hour parking system will come into effect in Louisburgh next month along the main business thoroughfare in the town—Bridge Street. The parking system, which will be introduced for a trial period, was supported by committee members of the Westport electoral area this week.
Martin Keating, Senior Executive Officer, outlined that as it is important for “small towns to be customer focused” then the provision of car parking outside their premises was beneficial in creating a “turnover” system which will enable customers to have easier access to do their business.
The one-hour parking will be implemented for a one-month period commencing in August with a review thereafter. Mr Keating said that a traffic warden will monitor the parking in the area and there will be a “sensible approach to the enforcing of this”.
Local Louisburgh Councillor, Austin Francis O’Malley, said that the Louisburgh Community Alliance had researched this proposal and wanted it effected, but said that as it was a “pilot project” then “nothing was written in stone” until after the one month review.
His party colleague Cllr John O’Malley was somewhat cynical about the reversal of this proposal after a month, and asked “would it realistically ever go back?” as according to him “when something is introduced it usually stays that way”. The Westport-based councillor, however, said “that the street is congested at times” and “even though it may be good for local businesses it may not suit everyone”.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Margaret Adams said “far be it for me to interfere with the businesses of Louisburgh in their decision” but she hoped that there would not be pressure in the rest of the town for street parking.
Councillors were assured that following the one-month trial the proposal would come back to an area committee meeting.
