Patients returning from appointments to parking tickets - Donegal News

PATIENTS travelling from Letterkenny for medical appointments are coming home to parking tickets and their cars being clamped.

That is according to 100% Redress Cllr Tomás Seán Devine, who is seeking a long term solution for those using public transport to get to hospitals around the country.

He highlighted that there is currently no suitable carpark for patients leaving their cars for a day or more while they travel.

Cllr Devine urged councillors to back his motion at the June meeting of Letterkenny-Milford MD.

“Can this MD support my motion in getting parking sorted for those that need to park up for a day or longer to use public transport to get to medical appointments in other hospitals throughout the country,” he said.

“At the minute, people are being clamped or ticketed for parking.”

Cllr Devine said he has been contacted by members of the public in recent months who’ve been affected and added that the issue is getting “more and more common”.

In the short term, he suggested a lease agreement or other arrangement for the carpark next to the Letterkenny Bus Station to be used.

His motion was seconded by Independent Cllr Declan Meehan, who said that people are leaving their appointments early due to the issue.

Senior Executive Engineer (Roads) David McIlwaine said that the council could review the by laws on parking and explore possibilities to create longer term parking within existing infrastructure.

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