Paid parking likely at Auburn Terrace
Moves to introduce paid parking at Auburn Terrace in Mullingar will have an impact on the local residents – unless residents’ permits are introduced, Cllr Mick Dollard has told officials of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.
At the March meeting, the independent councillor asked what plans the district has to amend the bye-laws applying at Auburn Terrace, going on to explain that there are 12 houses there and that it was his view that they should get residents’ permits.
“If you want to introduce paid parking in that particular location in the absence of residents’ permits, I certainly think it would discriminate actively against the local people there,” he said.
The written response from the executive stated that in order to amend the bye laws, a public consultation process will be required.
“If the members are in agreement, the district can initiate the process,” the response added, to which Cllr Dollard stated he was happy to propose that the process be initiated, subject to his proviso regarding residents’ permits.
Backing came from Cllr Aoife Davitt: “I know that they have been looking for it for a long time,” she said, adding that there were also two residents in that area who would require disabled spaces as well.
“It probably is one of the last remaining spaces in Mullingar that isn’t a paid parking street that’s quite close to Mullingar and [the residents] do find it difficult to be able to find a space. District official, Sheila Healy, said caution needed to be taken if paid parking is introduced:
“While we can give residents parking permits, we can’t designate specific places for them. So I do think we do need to engage with the residents before we do anything else with the process,” she stated.
Director of services, Deirdre Reilly, felt a meeting could be held with residents ahead of the public consultation.
“Tread carefully, I suppose, members!” was the advice of the mayor, Cllr John Shaw.
Newlands
At the same meeting, Cllr Dollard asked that the district arrange to place a stop sign and appropriate accompanying road markings at a cul-de-sac in Newlands in the interest of public safety. “This will be carried out when the weather is more suitable,” he was assured.