A new car parking regime is set to come into force in a Laois town later this year.
Mountrath is to be subject to ‘time limited’ parking, rather than paid-parking, which will see motorists being allowed to park there for no more than two hours between 8.30am and 5.30pm on Monday to Saturday.
Speaking previously, Community and Enterprise Office Georgina Ireland said that Laois County Council had identified 43 car parking spaces in the town.
Following a study, it was determined that between 50 and 60% of these spaces are occupied all day – stifling potential business in the town due to a lack of available parking.
So, since October, the ‘time limited’ parking has been trialled in the town and it has been an overwhelming success.
Members of the public were asked to make submissions on the issue and nine were received – with all in support and suggesting ways in which it could be made an even better experience.
One suggestion which was universal was better utilising the Bank of Ireland car park off main street in the town.
Ms Ireland confirmed at this morning’s monthly meeting of the Borris-In-Ossory that Laois County Council has agreed to do just this.
Following a motion by Independent Councillor James Kelly on the issue, Ms Ireland said that works would be carried out by the summer.
She said: “We will resurface and reline the car park so that spaces will be more defined.
“We are also going to erect a public light in the middle of the car park – one of the new ones that will illuminate the entire car park.
“We’ll also install yellow boxes on the R445 at the entrance to the car park and install a loading bay on the main street with an age friendly car parking space also.”
Ms Ireland said that around nine or ten residents permits would be required and that enforcement of the time-limited parking will be by traffic wardens and Gardai.
Welcoming the news, Cllr Kelly said: “There are no objections to this and it is a very positive development.
“The car park is in a very bad state of disrepair and by doing this, we will also be able to fit more cars in.
“By putting in public lighting and hopefully CCTV down the line, people will feel more secure about parking there.
“I am committing a sizeable portion of my discretionary funding to this project – I want to see this happen as soon as possible.”
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