NAAS 14 January 2003: A prominent Naas businessman says the lack of parking policies near his premises on the Ballymore Road may force him to cut jobs at his shop.
Larry Swan of Swans on the Green has appealed to councillors to help solve the problem of all-day parking near his premises, which is forcing customers to go elsewhere or park illegally nearby.
"The area is now being monopolised by all day parkers," says Mr Swan, who was required to pay the Town Council for the provision of parking when he rebuilt his shop a number of years ago. “Some are commuting to the city with vehicles not being moved until after 7pm most nights."
Mr Swan says the Kilcullen Road has parking regulations, which allow customers to park there for some period of time. But there are no equivalent regulations on the Ballymore Road.
"If the downturn in in my business continues, I will have no option but to start cutting back on staff numbers," Mr Swan said in a letter to councillors.
His business currently employs 18 people full time and 14 part time.
Naas Town Council has allocated long-term parking facilities in its car parks for people who need to leave their cars parked all day. But many such owners seem to prefer to park free on the roadside outside restricted areas, or in estates such as Lakelands.
