BREAKING: Environmental group wants to put a stop to free Christmas parking in Kildare

An environmental action group has come out strongly against a request to suspend pay parking.

Two councillors - Carmel Kelly (FF) and Evie Sammon (FG) have asked that Kildare County Council suspend parking charges from Monday next (December 15) to Wednesday December 31.

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But Friends of the Irish Environment is urging councillors not to back the plan when it comes before them.

According to FIE, evidence from retail and mobility management shows that suspending pay parking will increase car use by encouraging short avoidable car trips that would otherwise be made by active or sustainable modes (walking or cycling).

The group also says it will increase congestion and emissions and undermine Kildare County Council’s own climate action plan.

“Unpriced parking encourages long-stay commuters – many who take public transport out of town - and so reduces car-space turnover, making it harder for genuine shoppers to find a space. Free parking can harm local traders and town-centre vitality, ultimately leading to lost retail and council revenue,” the group contends.

It also points out that Parking fees form part of KCC’s income and support investment in transport and mobility services, “so waiving them conflicts with prudent financial management commitments (in KCC’s) the corporate plan 2025–2029.”

FIE says successful town-centre economies depend on the turnover of parking spaces, short-stay parking priced fairly with effective enforcement as well as supportive measures such as high-quality public transport access, targeted promotions, improved walking access, and sustainable-mobility initiatives.

The group also says KCC is committed to sustainable mobility, climate action, prudent financial management and regeneration-led town-centre revitalisation. This includes moving away from “car-dominated streets and the use of demand-management tools such as regulated parking to maintain turnover and accessibility.”

FIE also claims there is no lawful mechanism for elected councillors to temporarily suspend parking byelaws.

“Treating byelaws as suspended would expose the council to legal and governance risk, as elected members cannot direct staff to ignore byelaws or stop collecting charges. Doing so would undermine basic standards of lawful, accountable administration and conflict with the corporate clan’s commitments on sound financial management.”