Calls for tougher action on drivers who park 'willy nilly' in Limerick's residential areas

THERE’S been calls for a tougher approach to drivers who leave their vehicles in residential areas outside the immediate city centre without paying.

Data presented to Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan at this month’s metropolitan meeting revealed that last year, some 159 tickets were issued by traffic wardens to cars parked in South Circular Road and Springfield Drive, which adjoins the street.

She was told that zero tickets were issued last year on two other streets nearby, Ashbourne Avenue and Ashbourne Park.

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“People know they can get away with parking there all day. They know there will be no traffic warden up around that side of town. I know it’s not just the area I am talking about. I know this is happening in other parts of the city. People are now just parking willy-nilly around these areas and it’s causing major issues for people accessing driveways or accessing their homes,” Cllr O’Donovan said.

She called for council bosses to deploy a high-visibility campaign to address parking enforcement issues in residential areas outside the core business district.

In a written reply, transport director Patricia Liddy said the local authority assigns a traffic warden to carry out patrols and enforcement duties throughout residential areas.

They focus mainly on areas around University Hospital Limerick, the Technological University of the Shannon, University of Limerick, and Mary Immaculate College.

Cllr O’Donovan’s call received support from her party colleague, Cllr Shane Hickey-O’Mara, as well as Independent members Ursula Gavan and Maria Donoghue.

Cllr Donoghue said there’s a similar situation in other local streets, and many of her neighbours are “frequently trapped in their homes.”

“If you want to drive somewhere, you have to be gone by 8am to make sure your car is out. We are frequently being hemmed in,” she added.