Parking ’competition’ in Ennis prompts review of resident permits and paid spaces - Clare Echo

A REVIEW of parking in residential areas of Ennis will examine options including residents’ permits and paid short-term spaces, amid concerns that all-day parking is leaving residents struggling to find spaces near their homes.

The issue was raised by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) at the October meeting of Ennis Municipal District, where she called for a review of arrangements in areas including Ard na Gréine/Ardlea and Cloughleigh/Hermitage.

The motion seeks a mixed parking model that would protect reasonable access for residents while retaining some spaces for short-term paid public parking. It also calls for consideration of time limits, Pay & Display spaces and measures to discourage long-stay or commuter parking in residential areas.

In a written response, Senior Engineer Hugh McGrath said careful consideration was needed to ensure parking in residential areas was managed in a balanced way.

He said all potential measures, including paid parking and residents’ permits, could be considered, adding that “it may not be a one size fits all”. The council would advance a review to establish the most appropriate approach for each location.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Colleran Molloy said there was ongoing “competition” between residents and people parking for the day without charge.

Cllr Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF), who seconded the motion, said the issue was particularly evident in estates opposite Dunnes Stores and that many other areas faced similar problems.

She said older estates had been developed 40 or 50 years ago, before parking bye-laws were in place, and that arrangements needed to “move with the times”.

Cllr Baker Bashua said it was frustrating for residents to drop children to school and return to find that parking spaces had been taken for the rest of the day.

She acknowledged that “it’s not going to be an easy solution”.

Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) said the issue had been brought to the attention of councillors and was a sensitive matter that affected residents and the wider town.

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