Councillors vote for sweeping parking reforms

Shoppers will now be able to top up their parking tickets by using a new mobile phone application as part of a series of concessions aimed at tackling Longford’s paid parking woes.

Other changes set for introduction include raising the grace period for tickets which have elapsed from ten to 30 minutes as well as three month €100 permits for off-street parking.

The adjustments, which are due to be rolled out over the coming weeks, were signed off on by councillors at a meeting of Longford ‘s Municipal District last Wednesday.

Local representatives unanimously agreed to ratify all three compromises on foot of proposals made by Cllrs Gerry Warnock (Ind) and John Browne (FG).

Cllr Warnock said whatever about the arguments for and against paid parking, there was little denying it was a topic which would not go away.

“Parking has morphed into a black cloud over the years and is an issue because we made it an issue,” he said.

“Having said that, we (council) have to be seen to be doing something.”

Cllr John Browne also called for the ceiling on discretionary periods for elapsed parking ticketss to be raised.

“I think if we do that it would show we mean business,” he said.

Councillors were however, warned of the potential repercussions changes to the town’s parking bye-laws would bring.

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