Ardee 'sitting ducks' getting parking tickets

Cllr John Sheridan has appealed to Louth County Council to urgently repaint a loading bay in Ardee that is seeing motorists inadvertently getting parking tickets.

The Fianna Fáil councillor told the Dundalk Democrat that “since the two hour parking limit was reinstated in Ardee in August 2023, parking wardens are visiting Ardee to monitor compliance with the parking by-laws. These include the two hour limit as well as compliance with loading bays and double yellow lines.

“I have been highlighting the issue of the loading bay on Market Street Ardee. I have been informed by local shop owners of tickets being given out for cars parked in the loading bay despite the lines being very faded.

“I have appealed to the Council to urgently act on this since before Christmas including at a number of our monthly Municipal District meetings. I know there are delays in getting lines painted across the county but this is an urgent case especially where fines are being issued to unsuspecting motorists.

“On Saturday I observed the loading bay for 20 minutes and counted numerous cars that pulled in and out in that time seemingly unaware that it is a loading bay.

Cllr Sheridan added, “we want to encourage people into Ardee to do their shopping in Ardee. We don't want to be chasing people out of the town and people leaving Ardee with a sour taste and a €40 parking fine.”