Longford Municipal District: Double yellow lines for College Park

Longford County Council are to emphasise parking restrictions in the College Park area of Longford town with the introduction of double yellow lines,

Cllr Seamus Butler  raised the issue in a motion at a meeting of the Longford Municipal District members: “Due to frequent parking on the Ballinalee Road entrance to College Park causing difficult ingress and egress, I propose that double yellow lines be added from the Ballinalee Road at least 50m into College Park on each side of the road.”

Cllr Butler said development in the area has increased the need for local authority intervention: “There used to be just a shop. That shop has morphed into a pharmacy, which in itself is no problem, but the adjacent private house has converted into a medical surgery.

“There have been times when residents are trying to exit onto the road and the parking is blocking their view. The medical practice is not going away, if anything it is going to get busier. If that simple measure could be put in place then it would make a difference,” he said.

The motion was seconded by Municipal District Cathaoirleach Martin Monaghan. In reply Richard Smith, Senior Executive Architect, told the meeting work was underway to address the issue: “As part of the Active Travel we are currently developing the N63 road with cycleways. There was a request by Cllr Hagan last year to address some of the concerns you have about double parking. Within the six weeks the double yellow lines will be laid,” he said.

Cllr John Browne said the introduction of yellow lines was not the solution and said the council must provide appropriate parking spaces: “Create car parking spaces there, that's the way to do it. Otherwise you are going to get people who need to see the doctor getting parking tickets. It will lead some people into an early grave.”

Supporting the motion, Cllr Gerry Hagan said it was important to address the issue “as soon as possible”.