City’s on-street parking charges to be reduced

People parking their cars long-term in the city centre, including workers, are soon to benefit from reduced on-street charges in a number of parking areas.

In a review of its parking-control bye laws, Kilkenny Borough Council is to implement a reduction in the cost of parking in a number of key areas around the city, including Vicar Street, Greensbridge Street, Wolfe Tone Street, Upper New Street, and Ballybought Street, among others.

On-street parking charges, within and adjacent to the ‘core retail area’, were brought in by the council in 2008 as part of the bye-laws. A two-tier tariff system was implemented, with a higher tariff attached to a number of high-use spaces in the city centre.

Since then, a number of issues have emerged prompting the council to undertake a review. The issues include a reduction in the use of some parking spaces, and complaints from locals in peripheral residential areas, who say that the scheme has led to an influx of all-day parking from people avoiding the tariffs. City-centre workers have also contended that they are being economically disadvantaged by the charges.

Director of Services John Mulholland said that the review would respond to the concerns of residents, as well as lower the cost of parking in peripheral areas of the city.

“The measures would be in tandem with amendments proposed by Kilkenny County Council, particularly on College Road,” he said.

Councillor Joe Reidy (FF) enquired as to the possibilities of ‘bulk-buy’ parking charges - such as annual or six-month tickets, or multi-use tickets.

Mr Mulholland said that the practicality of such proposals would be considered, as would any submissions made by the public.

With the council’s having approved the review, it will now go into a period for public consultation.