Abandoned cars taking up spaces

Councillor Brendan Fay has called on Cavan County Council to review parking and signage provision in Belturbet in a bid to improve access for customers, support local businesses, and address ongoing traffic and safety concerns.

Speaking at a recent Municipal District meeting, Cllr Fay (Ind) said business owners in Belturbet are increasingly frustrated by the lack of accessible short-term parking in town centres. He warned that customers are struggling to stop and shop locally, with some choosing to travel elsewhere due to parking issues.

“There are cars parked there for weeks and even months on end, some with ‘for sale’ signs, taking up valuable parking spaces,” he said. “Businesses are already struggling enough without losing parking spaces to abandoned vehicles.”

He raised concerns about traffic flow and safety in Belturbet, particularly around the ‘Diamond’ area, where he said abandoned vehicles and long-term parking are creating hazards and negatively impacting the appearance of the town. “Short-term parking is essential for the day-to-day survival of shops, cafés, pharmacies and other local services,” he said. “If people cannot easily stop and access businesses, many will choose to shop elsewhere.”

The councillor questioned whether additional powers or enforcement measures could be introduced to remove abandoned vehicles more quickly and called for clearer signage indicating parking limits in towns across the county.

Cllr Damien Brady (SF) supported the motion, highlighting the difficulties faced by elderly and vulnerable people trying to access essential services such as pharmacies.

He also suggested that businesses encourage staff to park off the main street where possible in order to leave spaces free for customers. Cllr Brady pointed to examples where local businesses had successfully allowed staff parking behind their premises, helping to reduce congestion in towns.

Responding on behalf of the council, Senior Executive Engineer Paul Mulligan confirmed that two-hour parking signage is already in place in Belturbet. He said procedures exist for dealing with vehicles that remain unmoved for long periods and noted that cars have previously been removed in Cavan Town under similar circumstances. The council is expected to continue examining parking and traffic management issues as part of wider town centre accessibility and public safety discussions.