Traffic wardens to target Delvin Road at St Colman's
Parents and others who park on the cycle and footpath at St Colman’s National School, Mullingar, are to be targeted by traffic wardens in a bid to stop the activity. The decision follows a motion moved by Cllr Hazel Smyth at the February meeting of Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District.
She asked that the council carry out a cycle safety audit of the whole town, but specifically at the Delvin Road, between the canal and the ring road junction at the corner of Dalton Park, and St Loman’s Hospital.
Cllr Smyth said "you are taking your life in your hands when you cycle through the town" and that needs to change. In relation to the St Colman’s school area, she complained that cars were parked along the cycle lane there, making it impossible for cyclists and those on scooters to use it. Her motion was seconded by the chairperson, Cllr Aoife Davitt.
"There are people in this town who would drive up on the altar of the cathedral if they could, they don’t want to walk anywhere," declared Cllr Mick Dollard.
He pointed out that St Colman’s is beside St Paul’s Church, which has a huge car park and a footpath links the two. He called on the gardaí and the traffic wardens to enforce parking regulations there: "It would be no harm if they went up and put a few tickets on windscreens."
Dr Paul McCool, senior executive, said he would ask the traffic wardens to go to the area and enforce the laws. He acknowledged that there is an alternative car park and parents should be encouraged to use it.
He also said he would get the council’s transport section to examine the matter.
Earlier in the meeting, Cllr Smyth had been advised that there had been 125 fines issued to motorists for parking on footpaths, but none for parking on cycle lanes, in the district last year.
She said that it was time to ramp this up and she urged that the cycle audit be carried out in advance of the Fleadh Cheoil, when the council will want to encourage people to use the bike rental and share scheme.