Laois County Council has announced that they have temporarily suspended parking charges around the county.
Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald pressed Laois County Council to lift their parking fees due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
She said: “I very much welcome the decision by Laois County Council management to do this in the wake of the Coronavirus crisis that we are all trying to battle.
“This is something I looked for in recent days and I am very happy to see it happening.
“With social distancing now in place in a bid to stop the spread of the virus, handling cash and coins to fill up parking meters would not be helpful at all.
“So this is certainly a good move as we bid to keep everyone safe in this extremely challenging time.”
Confirming the move, Director of Services says it was made in the interest of social distancing.
He said: “Laois County Council is temporarily suspending the enforcement of parking bye laws from Friday March 20 until Friday April 17.
“In effect this provides that there will be no monetary charges applicable to car parking in car parking areas operated by Laois County Council in Portlaoise, Portarlington and Mountmellick.
“This decision is taken to support social distancing, reduce cash/coin transaction recognise reduced demand for medium and short term car parking and is geared to assist in the local and collective response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The temporary suspension relates to paid parking only and does not relate to other parking offences such as unauthorized parking, parking on footpaths, in loading bays, disabled spaces or double yellow lines.
“Enforcement of such offences will continue as required further to the provisions of Road Traffic Regulations.”
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