Parking dilemma in Mayo town ahead of festive season

Westport councillors have failed to decide whether parking in public car parks in the town should be free all day in the run-up to Christmas or just for the afternoon.

As a result, a confusing message from Cllr John O’Malley of “two hours free parking all day” rang out from last week's meeting.

Difficulties in deciding the free time slots arose after Cllr Peter Flynn asked: “Can we leave the car parks free again but not so that people come in and park their cars there all day long-term.” 

Head of the district Seamus O Mongain suggested the public car parks be free from 2pm, as that was happening in other towns.

Cllr John O’Malley said he found the suggestion difficult, adding: “Are we going to charge those who want to come in early to do their shopping? I don’t know that many who come in and park there all day just because it’s free. Surely they are not going to be shopping all day.” 

On further suggestions of two hours' free parking, he added: “If people ask me at the local pub am I going to be telling them to get in before 11am or after 2pm? Well, I won’t do that. I’ll feel awkward telling people that car parks are free in Westport if you come in at a certain time. What I’ll tell them instead is it’s two hours free all day long and let them take their own meaning out of that. If people think they can come in and have two hours to shop, they won’t care what time they come in.” 

Director of Services Joanne Grehan said the other towns in Mayo are offering free parking from 2pm each day and it would be helpful if the council could issue a consistent message.

Cllr Brendan Mulroy said having the car parks free all day would generate a feelgood factor, adding: “We want people to come in. As it is, we charge the highest rates in the county and we have to do the best to help our shopkeepers. Even if an employee does park all day for free, they deserve a break too. 

"The last thing you want is people having a great day shopping and then coming back to a ticket on their car. It is important to give something back. Offering it free all day would be promoting Westport and let the rest of the county follow us instead, as it is a great selling point.” 

Council official Jim Horan remarked that all-day free parking would have an impact on people living in the apartments around town as “the spaces are used up with people parking all day, so the hidden impacts are less positive.” 

Cllr Chris Maxwell asked people to try and shop in towns like Louisburgh, Newport and Belmullet. 

"There are some lovely businesses in rural areas and they are all struggling and paying rates and deserve support too and there are no car parking charges in some of those areas.” 

Following further debate it was agreed to postpone a decision until council management could check out whether the meters can be programmed to grant two-hour free car parking failing which free parking will be offered all day.