Loading problems an issue in Leitrim town with lorries parking in the middle of the road

Delivery lorries are having to park in the road in Drumshanbo due to cars parked along the street, a Leitrim councillor told a meeting this week. 

Cllr Brendan Barry said: "There are incidents where cars are parked at either end of the High Street for long periods of time and overnight and that affects people who live on the High Street but it also affects deliveries. I saw a case where a lorry was carrying out a food delivery and had to park out on the main carriageway of the regional road because a car was parked in their way."

He asked that measures be put in place to keep the ends of the high street in Drumshanbo clear for loading and unloading only stating that residents and business owners need to have clear access to and from the high street.

He said: "I'd liked to see something flexibe that would allow the lorries off the regional roads and allow traffic to move freely and they can carry out their deliveries. I'm hoping it would be incorporated into the Part 8."

READ MORE: 'I think there is this perception that there are Leitrim council houses sitting idle; it's not the case'

The official response said that the Roads Department is currently developing a series of pedestrian crossings and formalising junction layouts in Drumshanbo. These works are expected to help alleviate access issues at the ends of the High Street for residents and business owners. The proposed designs will be placed on public consultation later this month as part of the planning approval process."

Cllr Enda McGloin supported the motion. "This has been going for the last several years. It was suggested that access could be made available to the rear of the buildings which would have opened up great possibilities in the high street for pedestrian walkway/covered area where people could have a coffee in the summer."

He said that when people park in the street "they are often in a hurry and don't think they will block someone's access. I'd be interested to see the propose designs; I know there is public consultation but it's important that elected members get the opportunity to look at because it's important we get this right because there are all sorts of implications if we don't.