Dundalk workers claim they are facing 'parking crisis' at Quayside Business Park

Workers at Dundalk's Quayside Business Park claim they are facing a "parking crisis" following the introduction of a new paid parking scheme on the site. 

A statement released by a collection workers at Quayside Business Park, who wish to remain anonymous say the new parking scheme has "sparked serious concerns among employees, businesses and local residents". 

Workers have said the new arrangement set to be introduced, gives each business lease at the park is allocated just five permits. Permit holders are allowed to park on-site five days a week. However, the remaining employees have been excluded. They are not permitted to park on-site and are not allowed to pay for parking as visitors.

According to a memo obtained by the Dundalk Democrat "each unit will be issued a unique QR code" which visitors must scan upon arrival as well as providing their vehicle registration details. 

A €1.00 fee also applies to each visitor registration however, the memo says "visitor facilities are limited to three uses per week per vehicle", and "will be closely monitored by the enforcement company". 

"If no visitor spaces are available, guests must source alternative parking outside of the business park". 

The statement from workers claims that the property managers at Quayside Business Park have collected the vehicle registration plates of all employees in the business park and any workers who attempt to park on-site "risks having their vehicle clamped". 

^{Below: Sign erected at the business park}

It said the new system has left workers with no viable option as there is no alternative public parking available in the immediate vicinity of Quayside Business Park.

"The inevitable consequence is that hundreds of employees will be forced to park their cars and vans in surrounding residential estates and on local roads - causing significant disruption to residents who have had no part in this decision", workers said in the statement.

The workers said the removal of any parking provision has placed "their ability to perform their jobs at risk". 

They accused the property managers of taking an approach that "appears designed solely to generate revenue while placing the burden squarely on employees and surrounding community". 

In response to the claims, DPS Property Management, who acts on behalf of Dundalk Cois Ce Management Company Ltd and its Board of Directors issued a statement on their behalf which said: 

"The Directors of Dundalk Cois Ce Management Company Ltd have advised that they are not introducing a pay-parking system.

"Instead, the management company is introducing a system to regulate parking to ensure that those entitled to use the private car park can do so. This measure also addresses unregulated parking, which has become both a safety and operational concern.