25 September 2003: Draft Parking Bye-Laws 2003 for Naas town will be on public display for a period of four weeks from 1 - 31 October.
The Parking Bye Laws 2002 have been in operation for the past 18 months and the new plan envisages a number of changes and additions.
A majority of Naas Town Councillors this week agreed to allow the draft plans go on public view - some did not agree with a few of the proposals put forward by the town engineer.
They include upping the pay-to-park charge in some areas, keeping to current levels in some streets while introducing a charge on the Dublin Road, Kilcullen Road, Ballymore Eustace Road, and in the new Fair Green car park.
There will be additional parking restrictions in The Sycamores, Lakelands, Gleann na Greine, Spring Gardens and St Corban’s.
One hour parking in the centre of town including Main Street South, Market Square, Main Street North, Dublin Road and Poplar Square will remain at €1 per hour.
Two hour parking on all side streets and the Kilcullen Road will stick to its current rate of €0.50 per hour but the Sallins Road and Friary Road charge will increase by 20c to €0.70 per hour.
Three hour parking at the Abbey Street car parks will stay at €0.50 per hour and €1.50 for three hours. However, Corban’s car park upper area will move from €0.50 to €0.70 per hour and from €1.50 to €2.00 for three hour parking.
All day parking at St Corban’s car park, Heddermans, Fair Green car parks, Rathasker Road, Kilcullen Road and New Row will see an increase from €0.40 to €0.50 per hour; up from €2.00 to €3.00 for all day parking, and from €30.00 to €35.00 for the monthly rate.
Compared to multi-storey car park charges, Naas Town Centre private car park charges €5.00 for the daily rate as against NTC rate of €3.00; while the monthly rate is €10.00 dearer than the Council’s, and the annual rate is €120.00 more expensive than the Naas Town Council charge.
Town engineer John McGowan said the provision of ‘residents parking’ can only be done in conjunction with pay parking. He said zones may be declared with parking restriction, Resident Permit & Pay/Display. This puts an onus on residents to purchase and display an annual permit, the use of visitors discs as well as allowing members of the public pay for hourly parking on the road. To allow this system would mean parking machines on individual roads.
“All of the above causes inconvenience to residents of the road and from our discussions with certain residents groups, it would appear that other forms of traffic restriction is preferable, i.e. single yellow lines would prohibit parking during business hours.”
However, he added if a majority of residents in any housing estate opt for Residents permit, pay & display parking, then Naas Town Council will implement the scheme.
The Draft Parking Bye-Laws 2003 consultation period is up to 14 November. The Council hopes to commence the new charges on 1 December this year.
Locals will be able to view the plans and make their views known before they go back to the 18 November meeting of the Council for adoption.
Many councillors have signalled that they do not agree with some of the proposals and there is likely to be some heated discussion when the draft Parking Bye Laws come back before the Council at its November meeting for adoption.
