Pay parking plan for Sundays Well Road

Paid parking is to be rolled out on Sundays Well Road, Mullingar, following requests by residents in the area.

At a meeting of Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District last week, it was proposed that paid parking meters be installed, and parking permits be issued to residents.

Elected members heard that a council team met residents over the summer, with a view to moving forward with permits and plans next year.

Councillors raised concerns about the issue that a parking permit does not necessarily guarantee residents a parking space.

“I’d like to know how many parking spaces we think there are. Because if each house gets one or two, a lot of people actually use it as a back entrance into the swimming room and come for an hour or two,” said Cllr Aoife Davitt (FF). However, the issue has been discussed with residents, who have been made aware that their permits will not ensure they will have a space to park, but the fact that parking is paid “may be a deterrent”.

Other issues to be considered before going ahead are the fact that the path is “quite narrow” and a lot of people walk along it with buggies.

“I think the placement of where the parking meter goes as well is going to be important,” said Cllr Davitt.

She also raised concerns about at least two residents who blue badges and disabled spaces.

“I think it would be important to make sure that they’re not vying for other places as well, that they’re looked after,” said Cllr Davitt. “I’m not so sure how it will turn out eventually. I did try to explain that, just because they have a permit will not actually allow them to have space there, that somebody could come in, pay for the space and then it would be taken. It’s just important that each resident understands that, I suppose.”

The issue will be further discussed at the January meeting of the Municipal District.