On-street parking charges "death knell" for small shops

According to Labour Councillor Keith Martin on-street parking charges in Westport could sound the "death knell" for small shops in Westport town centre as Cllr Martin claims the new charge will encourage shoppers to use larger supermarkets such as Tesco and Supervalu which are able to offer free parking.

Cllr Martin continues "If we bring in on-street parking charges we end up penalising small businesses within the town core as we effectively encourage shoppers to avail of free parking elsewhere in Westport or even Castlebar.

"There is absolutely no point in reducing rates and then making it more expensive to shop in Westport town core.  Grocery, butchers, florists and clothes shops are already finding it hard enough to keep their doors open without Westport Town Council driving away customers through an opportunistic parking charge.

"Car parking charges drive everybody mad, as on top of been charged a fortune for petrol, car tax, insurance and other car running cost,  you also have to pay for the privilege to stop driving your car and park it somewhere!  The car is a necessity in the west of Ireland where public transport is practically non-existent. 

"In addition to this in order to bring in on-street parking charges they would have to place horrible plastic green ticket machines up and down our streets, taking away from Westport's beauty as a Heritage and Tidy Town.

"I shall be calling on Fine Gael and Cllr Martin Keane to vote against the bylaws when they come before the council later in the spring.  It's time we shouted STOP!"

On-Street Parking By-laws may be defeated - Martin

Attempts to bring in a "trial" of on-street parking in Westport for six months of the year are likely to fail according to Labour councillor Keith Martin.

 

Cllr Martin says he does not think that the proposal has the support of the majority of Westport Town Council, which is required in order to pass the necessary by-laws later in the year.

 

In early January, Westport Town Council voted to adopt a provision of €150,000 in its 2011 budget.  A motion by Cllr Brendan Mulroy, supported by Cllr Martin, to defer any provision for on-street parking till after a traffic meeting to discuss the measures had been held was defeated by a 6-2 vote when the five Fine Gael councillors and Cllr Martin Keane backed the inclusion of the parking charges in the budget

 

This means as Westport Town Council has already struck a rate, that if the by-laws are not passed Westport Town Council will have to cut up to cut an additional €150,000 from its 2011 budget.

 

According to Cllr Martin "Cllr Mulroy and I have been very strong on this issue from the beginning; we are opposed to the introduction of on-street parking charges in Westport.  We wanted a proper public debate on the issue before adopting the budget but we were voted down. 

 

"Despite the fact that all the Fine Gael councillors and independent Cllr Martin Keane backed the budget provision for €150,000 in on-street parking charges I don't think they will back the parking by-laws as quickly."

Jerry Cowley Campaign update

 

     Vote 1 leaflets have been delivered to the following

 

Cedar Park Estate  Westport

Fairways         "               "

Pairc na Coile  "             "

Michael Davitt  "             "

Rampart Woods "          "

Pinewoods          "          "

Deerpark East    "          "

King's Hill            "          "

 

I have written up 24 further estates or areas ( Ie. Murrisk, Lecanvey ext ) That need to be done in the Westport area before the end of next week, we are convening a General Election meeting for Wesrport  Branch next Wednesday to confirm progress and tasks to be done to this end. Need to know if you need Glenhest, Ballintubber, Islandaedy ext done .

 

I will delver  the electoral  register application / postal vote to you on Wednesday and I have ordered  additional supply from Electoral Register's office which you should receive next Monday.

 

Election Rosettes have been ordered,  as per instructions, we will have Friday or Monday at the latest.