Parking solutions needed at Carrick and Dromod railway stations

Parking solutions are needed at both Carrick-on-Shannon and Dromod railway stations with patrons asked to “pay up” to use both existing and any newly developed car parks.

The matter was raised at Monday's meeting of the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District with Cathaoirleach, Cllr Sean McGowan, urging all “relevant parties” to work together to develop a new public car park for Carrick-on-Shannon Railway Station.

Cllr McGowan said he is aware that ESB is “willing to give a piece of ground to develop a new car park” for the station.
He called on Iarnród Éireann to engage with Roscommon County Council and the Cortober residents, “with a view to finding a solution” to the parking problems at this busy station.

“This (new car park) is badly needed,” he said, “the relevant parties need to get together on this.”

Cllr Enda Stenson seconded the motion but also warned that if there is a new car park provided, it will not be free to the public like the current car park facilities.

Dromod Railway Station.

“I know that there are people who drive from Dromod to Carrick-on-Shannon to park there all day because they don't have to pay a charge as they do in Dromod. If there is a new car park provided there will likely be a charge,” he said.

It was noted that, in Dromod, people using the railway station are parking in the nearby housing state as well as taking up customer parking at a nearby pub and parking in the GAA carpark in a bid to avoid having to pay the charge “which is very unfair” for the residents and businesses impacted.

The Cathaoirleach noted that it is only €4.50 if you pay at the car park, adding “if you pay in advance online it is only €3.50.”

He stressed that people should not be parking and causing issues in housing estates and businesses in Dromod.