Double yellow lines prompts offer of free parking in Mitchelstown
The proposal to have double yellow lines installed at Convent Hill, Mitchelstown to alleviate traffic congestion, has this week seen SuperValu owner Alan Reidy offer free parking facilities at the rear of his supermarket to the general public.
The issue was discussed at the September meeting of Fermoy Municipal District when Senior Executive Engineer, Brendan O’Gorman told elected representatives that a request had been made for double yellow lines for Convent Hill by the manager of SuperValu to alleviate traffic congestion.
“Traffic can’t go up and down,” Mr O’Gorman said. “There’s parking on both sides of the road so it would be my intention to restrict parking on the southern side, we would restrict parking on that side of the road up to the SuperValu car park.”
The installation of the lineswould mean the loss of eight parking spaces along the road. However, the current situation does not allow traffic up and down safely, especially on market day on Thursdays.
“Parking obviously is an issue in Mitchelstown, with a double yellow line on that side of the road you will lose eight parking spaces, but at least you’ll have a safer road environment,” Mr O'Gorman added.
Alan Reidy of SuperValu said the issue was really a health and safety issue. "There can be really bad congestion and a back-up of traffic onto the main road at times with vehicles trying to get up and down." When the mention of the loss of eight parking spaces was drawn up, Mr Reidy said with the amount of spaces available at Tesco, Aldi and Lidl, there are plenty of spaces up amd down the street 'most days, with th exception perhaps of Thursdays'.
"We have 180 spaces at the rear of our place which the public are welcome to use if that helps the situation, but it is important that the problem on Convent Hill be resolved," he said.
At the September council meeting, Cllr Frank O’Flynn asked would the proposal for the double yellow lines go to a public consultation? Mr O’Gorman said the provision of double yellow lines is an executive decision and that the proposal goes next to the local Garda Superintendent to get their views on it.
Published:
Thursday 2nd October 6:03pm
