Concern over call to reinstall ‘traditional’ parking metres in Limerick town

A COST-benefit analysis is to be carried out after calls were made to reinstall ‘traditional’ parking metres in Newcastle West.

At the February meeting of the district, Independent councillor Jerome Scanlan put forward a motion seeking to review “the method of payment for parking at our authority’s Church Street facility and general parking facilities within Newcastle West”.

In response to the motion, which was seconded by Cllr Michael Collins, Ben Noonan, Senior Engineer for the district, stated the “current method of payment for parking in Newcastle West is twofold.”

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He explained that parking discs can be purchased from several retail outlets in the town and there is also the ability to pay using a smartphone app.

“This combination of parking control is regarded as efficient, flexible and most importantly convenient for visitors and locals,” he said.

Cllr Scanlan said council should “look at the system in Listowel and across Kerry” where they (motorists) do not have parking discs, people instead pay for their parking at a machine.”

He added that the current system "needs to be reviewed" as it’s “not very welcoming”.

Mr Noonan explained it was previously proposed that the council change from the ‘traditional’ parking meter system to the current system as it was “deemed more efficient”.

He highlighted that with the old system, there was the risk of the “machine breaking down” leaving people unable to pay, an issue that does not arise with the current system.

It was also pointed out that coins have to be collected from any pay machines that are installed and that this would cost money and present health and safety issues.

The meeting heard, the current system in Newcastle West is the same as that which operates across the city and county and Mr Noonan said it is his view that they would be “going backwards putting in a payment machine.”

Cllr John Sheahan said it would be a “huge cost” to “retrofit the town to put back in payment machines” but he echoed concerns raised by Cllr Scanlan that those unfamiliar with the town may not know where to purchase parking discs.

Cllr Collins said any shops that sell discs have posters displayed and it was confirmed there is one store, close to the Church Street car park that sells parking discs.

Cllr Collins suggested that a cost-benefit analysis could be carried out by the local authority to see if it would be feasible to return to on-street pay machines.