Kilkenny councillors acknowledge past mistakes as parking charges amended in city

A motion to amend parking measures introduced in Kilkenny City last January was passed unanimously by city councillors at Friday's meeting of the Kilkenny City Municipal District.

Councillors; Joe Malone, Andrew McGuinness, Martin Brett, David Fitzgerald, John Coonan, Eugene McGuinness and Maria Dollard all penned their names to the motion, admitting the passing of the parking measures earlier this year was a mistake. 

After consideration by the seven sitting city councillors, the following points were agreed and passed at Friday's meeting:

- A restoration of 15 minutes free parking.

- Areas will be identified where 'commuters' who work in the city have had their daily parking charges increased by 150% from €2 to €5 (e.g. Fairgreen) and this increase will be reduced to a 50% increase at €3 per day.

- The two hour parking limit introduced with current parking changes will be extended to four hours (e.g. Jacobs street, Castle road etc).

- A 30 minute free set down period will be granted during school pick up and drop off times at St Mary's Car Park.

- The Kilkenny City Municipal District will engage with Kilkenny Access groups to help deal with any issues resulting from the parking changes.

Commenting after the motion was passed at City Hall on Friday afternoon, councillors welcomed the new amendments and claimed they took action due to public dissatisfaction.

Cllr Andrew McGuinness (FF): "It's a rare occasion where a motion is agreed on across the political spectrum," adding, after meeting with businesses and relevant shareholders it 'shows we have listened.'

"It is what is wanted and required. We're not here as engineers but we are here as public representatives," adding, the parking measures at present have 'damaged business' according to local traders.

"All of them (businesses) are in agreement."

Cllr Martin Brett (FG): "We're here to reflect what we hear on the ground and when you hear such calls, you have to take action."

"This is reflective of what we're hearing."

Cllr David Fitzgerald (FG): "The (initial) changes were not considered fully or properly."

"The reaction on the ground is people don't want to come into town," adding, footfall in the city has been damaged as a result.

The parking measures were implemented with the 'best of intentions but they have to be scrutinised'.

The local representative went on to state the motion's passing will help the city centre 'recover' and appealed to future representatives to consider people's lives before making decisions.

Cllr John Coonan (FF): "Our responsibility is to listen and learn," admitting he's reconsidered his view on the original parking proposals which he supported.

Mr Coonan voiced his support for the motion and stated it's implementation along with future developments in public transport locally will be of benefit to both the local community and visiting tourists.

Cllr Eugene McGuinness (Ind): "There's a lot of moving parts in traffic management but we have to make sure businesses thrive."

The parking measures caused 'unintended consequences'.

"I did scrutinise in the past but it's an ongoing process and should be constantly reviewed."

Cllr Maria Dollard (GP): "I support the Executive in their intention but what we have seen since the changes is resistance."

"I did raise issues in the past as council car parking is scarce," adding, the current situation is 'impacting on social cohesion'.

However, despite supporting the motion, the local councillor claimed future presentations are needed to reassess the situation as 'Kilkenny is changing' and to avoid 'anecdotal evidence'.

Mayor Joe Malone: Praised Director of Services, Tim Butler and his team in Kilkenny County Council for their ongoing work but welcomed the changes and particularly the restoration of the 15 minutes free parking.

Stay tuned to Kilkenny Live and the Kilkenny People for more on this story as it develops