Kilkenny parking fee increases are ‘a bit steep’ with ‘no alternatives’ say locals

There has been a widespread, angry response to the increase in parking charges across Kilkenny City, that came into effect on Monday.

From Kilkenny Chamber, which has highlighted the need for parking to remain “affordable” and fees to strike a “happy medium,” to readers of the Kilkenny People who have branded the price hikes “a bit steep” and “crazy,” the changes have come under fire from the public.

Kilkenny County Council announced the price increases in recent weeks, explaining the move was to provide an “equitable parking system” in the city that will deter illegal parking and manage car parking more effectively.

In making the fee changes, the council also set out the aims of promoting the greater use of sustainable modes of transport, resolve safety issues caused by on-street queuing for car parks, and the greater availability of accessible parking bays.

However, faced with increases of more than double for some car parks, commuters who work in the city could be faced with a jump in weekly parking rates from €10 to €25 as all-day parking increases from €2 a day to €5 a day in what are regarded as long-term car parks.
One reader even suggested that those driving in to the city to work should be offered subsidised parking.

Popular car parks with short-term visitors and shoppers have seen an hourly rate increase from €1.30 to €2 an hour.

Priced out
Many of our readers said the cost of parking in Kilkenny will make them go to towns with free parking, like Portlaoise, Thurles and, especially, Carlow for shopping. “They want people to shop local and pay that price for car parking? Carlow a good place to shop from now on so,” said one reader.
One lady even commented: “Bye bye to the Kilkenny we knew and loved. We are being priced out of our own town.”

Other readers raised what they see as a lack of an alternative to driving into the city and parking.
“If there was sufficient public transport and adequate park and ride parking people might use the town bus,” was one reaction, and another was: “To raise parking charges by huge amounts without offering alternatives will hammer another nail in the city centre coffin.”
Readers also pointed out that the city bus service does not cover all residential areas on the outskirts of the city.

Happy Medium
Kilkenny Chamber set a more measured tone, but CEO John Hurley also made the point that it must remain affordable for people to shop and do business in the city.
“As the voice for business, Kilkenny Chamber is very conscious of the pressure that increased costs put on businesses and their customers.

“We are also very aware that today’s high level of car ownership across the county means that vehicular traffic, including parking, must be carefully managed,” My Hurley said.
“Whilst nobody expects anything for free, it is important that a happy medium is struck in the pricing of facilities so that it remains affordable for people to continue to come to the city for their shopping and other business.
“It is also important that adequate and suitable alternatives to car usage are provided for people who may wish to avail of them such as park and ride, cycling, using public transport, etc.”

Mr Hurley added that the Chamber would welcome a parking management approach for the city that deters illegal parking and ensures that loading bays are available for loading and unloading of goods.
For all details of the new Kilkenny City parking charges and, for some areas, parking time limit changes and ‘15 minute free’ options, see this week's Kilkenny People.