Nolan slams ‘absolute nuisance’ of illegal parking in Longford town estate

A meeting heard last week of how homeowners and local authority tenants along Bannon Terrace and Templemichael Terrace in Longford town have been left up in arms at the rise in cars that have been left parked outside their front gates in recent weeks.

Cathaoirleach of Longford Municipal District Cllr Peggy Nolan said the root cause of the problem was the apparent upturn in motorists who are using the area to park before walking to their places of employment in town.

“If you look down that road any morning you will see there is no place for the residents to park with non residents parking there and walking to their place of work in Longford town,” she said.

“It’s causing great hardship because if you look at the age profile some of them have care assistants and minders coming in and those people can’t park outside their residents they are doing their business in.

“I am asking for signs to be erected saying residents parking only and I think that will stop the illegal parking and absolute nuisance it is causing to residents down there.”

Area engineer Eamon Bennett said while he could foresee no issue in addressing Cllr Nolan's unease, elected members may have to consider introducing bye laws for residents parking in the future.

Director of Services John Brannigan brought an element of humour to the meeting by pouring cold water on those suggestions.

“Let us try a few signs first,” he replied, amid a crescendo of laughter.