Parking restrictions and one way in pipeline for popular Laois town

The green light for parking restrictions in Durrow will be accompanied by more parking spacked and could also followed by a one-way system through the town, under plans being advanced by Laois County Council.

The goahead was given by Laois county councillors who represent the popular Laois town town at their February meeting where other measures to alleviate parking problems and improve traffic were also discussed. However, one public representative withheld his support warning that there is no central car park to back up the reduced availability of all day parking.

However, a majority of six Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District councillors gave the approval needed for the time-limited parking in the heart of the town. It will see a two-hour time limit from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday, inclusive on The Square (east & south side) adjacent/joining Mary St and Castle St.

Approval was given following a public consultation initiated last September. James Dowling, senior executive engineer, said two submissions were received. He said there were no specific objections to the proposals, but concerns were raised. 

Among the points raised was free public parking spaces for employees and owners of local businesses near the town centre. The inclusion of Sunday was also sought. 

In reply the council said there are about 190 car park spaces in and around Durrow town centre but time-limited parking relates to just 40 spaces. The council said its proposal aims to move all-day parking away from commercial premises that, in turn, benefit from greater turn-over of spaces.

The council says enhanced car parking facilities will be provided at the existing car park on Cork Road and the area around the Fire Station where a design has been completed to facilitate eight new parking spaces.

The council said some education and encouragement of employees would be needed. 

Permits will be provided to residents of properties immediately adjacent to the time-limited parking spaces, subject to normal qualifying criteria. Parking permits for some businesses may be reviewed.

Paid parking is not proposed. Council-employed traffic wardens will be deployed to the town to police the restrictions including at weekends. 

Mr Dowling said the local authority has drawn up plans for a one-way system on the N77 Kilkenny road. He said talks with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to advance this project are underway. 

Cllr Ollie Clooney, Independent, led the reaction from councillors by welcoming the plan which has been in the pipeline for a number of years.

“I would like to see it implemented as soon as possible. Cars are left all day and parking is very restricted at the moment,” he said.

He hoped Sunday would be included as the social dancing leads to a lot of extra parking in the town. He had concerns over the lack of a main town car park but felt the restrictions were a step in the right direction.

Cllr James Kelly, Independent, said restricted parking has been an important success in Mountrath. However, he said Mountrath was lucky to already have had a car park which Durrow does not have. He said repeating this success in Durrow will be difficult due to the absence of a car park in Durrow. He also called for car parking for staff at some businesses to be permitted where cars must be parked outside such as the creche.

Cllr Kelly abstained on approving the byelaws but the remaining six councillors agreed.

Cllr Clooney said it was not an ideal plan but it would be helped by the introduction of a one-way system.

“It can’t be any worse than it was,” he said.

Cllr Conor Bergin and Cllr John King, both Fine Gael, also voiced their support for the proposal.