'We’ll look at it in 2027', says North Longford engineer as fund runs dry
Senior Engineer David Coppinger told Councillors Garry Murtagh and David Cassidy, “there are no remaining funds” in the 2026 discretionary budget.
Two county councillors who called for the provision of disabled parking bays in Aughacliffe, Moyne and Drumlish have been told the matter will be looked at first thing in 2027 as the discretionary fund is currently empty.
The issue arose after Cllr Garry Murtagh called for disabled parking bays to be installed outside the Health Centre in Aughnacliffe, St Mary’s in Legga and St Francis Church in Moyne, and St Colmcille Church in Aughnacliffe.
Cllr Murtagh explained that due to a lot of additional traffic and footfall, the spaces were a necessity.
He told the council, “With the health centre in Aughnacliffe there was a lot of additional traffic there now because there’s a shop and it’s extremely busy so of course when it’s busy, people will pull in.
There are also people going to the health centre, some are elderly and others are vulnerable. It’s something the health nurses have asked me about. I discussed it at the time with a now-retired council engineer who was very open to the idea. That’s two years ago now so I just want it put back on the agenda again.”
Senior Executive Engineer David Coppinger replied that the council would examine the locations to ascertain suitability for disabled parking bays.
He added, “We can only provide disabled parking in public roads and areas under our control. We are not allowed to provide them in private car parks.
Another thing to note, obviously I’d love to be able to provide them immediately but the simple reality is that there is no budget. The discretionary budget is gone for 2026. We will look at it first thing in 2027 unless we can find money from somewhere else in the meantime.”
Cllr David Cassidy, who, during a previous meeting had raised a motion about installing disabled parking bays in Drumlish, asked if they would be scheduled for 2027 also.
Replied Mr Coppinger, “The ones in Drumlish, same answer. No problem with the concept of providing them. They’re easier in Drumlish actually because they’re on a public road but it comes down to money.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme