Buncrana parking shake-up could see charges introduced in free parking areas
Parking rates on some of Buncrana's busiest streets could treble, with charges also set to be introduced in several areas where motorists currently park for free.
Motorists in Buncrana could soon have to pay to park in several areas where parking is currently free, under major changes to the town's parking arrangements being considered by Donegal County Council.
Hourly parking rates on some of the town's busiest streets could also treble under the proposed changes.
Charges would be introduced at the Shore Front car park opposite the Leisure Centre, the Festival Play Park car park and Ardaravan Square car park, while motorists could also face charges for parking along the Shore Road at the Shore Front and at Grianan Park.
A charge is also being considered for parking along Crana Road and Cahir O'Doherty Avenue, as well as at the Fishing Greens.
The proposals are contained in draft parking bye-laws for Buncrana, which are currently out for public consultation as part of a wider review being carried out by Donegal County Council.
They would represent the first major review of Buncrana's parking arrangements since the previous bye-laws came into effect on November 27, 2007.
At the Shore Front and Festival Play Park car parks, motorists would pay €0.50 per hour or €2 for the day. At Ardaravan Square, the charge would be €0.60 per hour or €2.40 for the day.
Along the Shore Road and at Grianan Park, the proposed charge would be €1 per hour, with no maximum time limit.
Motorists parking along Crana Road, Cahir O'Doherty Avenue and at the Fishing Greens would also pay €1 per hour or €4 for the day.
The introduction of charges in currently free areas comes alongside significant increases elsewhere in Buncrana.
Under the draft bye-laws, parking on Castle Avenue, Upper Main Street, Market Square, Lower Main Street, Maginn Avenue, Dr Denis McLaughlin Road and Upper Church Street would increase from the existing €0.50 to €1.50 per hour. A two-hour maximum stay would apply in these locations.
Other areas would see the hourly rate double from €0.50 to €1, but without a maximum time limit.
Those areas include St Oran's Road, Millbrae, St Mary's Road, Lower Church Street, Ferris Lane, Park Lane, Hillhead Road opposite Buncrana Community Hospital and Cockhill Road.
Larger vehicle parking bays in Buncrana would also attract a charge of €2 per hour or €15 for the day.
Charges would remain in place at St Mary's Road car park, Nailor's Row car park and Ferris Lane car park, but the cost would increase to €0.60 per hour or €2.40 for a full day.
The changes would mark a significant departure from the existing parking regime, where on-street parking has remained at €0.50 per hour since charges were introduced in Buncrana in 2007.
Parking in the town's car parks has also remained at €1.20 for a full day for almost two decades.
However, not all of the proposed changes involve introducing charges. Parking at St Columba's Avenue, Rockfield Terrace and Marian Park would remain free, but motorists would be subject to a maximum stay of two hours.
The introduction of the restrictions would create additional short-stay parking areas while allowing motorists to continue parking without charge.
The draft bye-laws also include revised parking permit arrangements. Permits for St Mary's Road, Nailor's Row and Ferris Lane car parks could cost €50 for one month, €170 for six months or €300 annually.
No figures were available for Ardaravan Square car park or the Festival Play Park car park. However, motorists wishing to purchase a permit for the Shore Front car park would be able to do so at a cost of €40 for one month, €160 for six months or €240 for an annual permit.
A county-wide resident's parking permit is also included, with a proposed cost of €30 for one year or €50 for two years.
A new Carer's Parking Permit is also being considered. The annual fee would be €30, with the permit intended for vehicles being used by carers attending residents who live in a ticket parking area or car park and require ongoing daily care because of a chronic illness.
Buncrana residents and businesses are being invited to have their say on proposed new parking bye-laws. The draft proposals are available at Buncrana Library, with submissions open until Monday, October 19. The final recommendations will then go before the Inishowen Municipal District for a vote.
If approved, the new bye-laws would bring the most substantial changes to Buncrana's parking system in almost 20 years — with motorists facing charges in several areas that have traditionally offered free parking, alongside significant increases in existing parking fees.