Call for more age-friendly, short-term parking spaces

More reserved parking is needed for elderly people, a meeting of Cavan-Belturbet councillors has heard.

Similar to the initiative introduced in Virginia, Sinn Féin Damien Brady asked if there was scope to roll out Age Friendly Parking.

While there is disabled parking available, Cllr Brady stated that some are taken for “several hours”, but there is a need for more short-term spots.

Cllr Brendan Fay (Ind) suggested a period parking of about 20 minutes.

Fianna Fáil’s Áine Smith (FF) suggested use of such short term spaces should extend to mothers with young children.

Cllrs John Paul Feeley (FF), Patricia Walsh (FF) and Niamh Brady (FG) also offered their support, with Senior Engineer Paul Mulligan in agreement with the proposition.

“It’s something we do need to look at,” he acknowledged, adding that he would be engaging in the coming weeks with his counterparts and this would be one of the items listed for discussion on the agenda.

It may require a review of existing bye-laws he told cllrs.

Director of Services Brendan Jennings said often the use of such spaces required the “good will” of people not to overstay. “You’ll always get the five to 10 per cent.”

But he said it was a “great” concept.

Mr Mulligan suggested the county town should “lead the way” on such an initiative, before being rolled out.