Warden system is working for local shoppers - Council

Navan’s new traffic warden system has made it easier for shoppers to find a parking space in town, as well as allowing traffic flow more freely around the town - that was the message from Meath County Council this week.

 

The assertion came on the heels of claims by local business that the new warden system was causing chaos  and driving shoppers out of the town.
However the council has hit back pointing out that in the month since the new private contract came into operation there has been a dramatic reduction in parking on footpaths, double yellow lines, disabled bays and loading bays, and it has also created better turnover of parking so shoppers have a better chance of getting parking space.
Fears that shoppers are deserting the town in droves to go to Blanchardstown or Ashbourne have been expressed by local traders.
Well known local businessman Jacksie Kiernan was so concerned about the situation he took to Facebook to express his worries with his daughter, Louise.
He said the wardens were too ‘trigger happy’ and weren’t giving people any grace if they were a few minutes late.
“It only takes 20 minutes to get to Blanchardstown now and people can park all day there and if people start hearing about people who have got tickets for a being a few minutes late, they just won’t come here.”
Prominent local draper, Larry Geoghegan, said there needed to be a much friendlier regime and the council should be going out of their way to encourage people to come into town.
Michael Gavigan of The Central said that Navan has to compete with places like Blanchardstown and if the traffic wardens are being unreasonable then people will drive to places where they don’t have those problems.
“Whatever about ticketing people between 10am and 5pm, it is not necessary to ticket people between 9am and 10am and 5pm and 6pm.
“They also need to give people a bit of grace,” he said.
Cllr Francis Deane said the presence of the wardens was upsetting people, but a lot of people had got very casual about parking and were leaving their cars on the street all day. “At the same time, this isn't bringing people into town to shop”.
 Meath County Council said that a grace period is given and anyone whose tickets has just been expired for two minutes can appeal.
A spokesperson said there is a fixed contract with no commission so it doesn’t matter whether a warden issues one ticket of 10. She said the wardens do not visit the Fair Green when a funeral is on and if a ticket is issued during a funeral, it can be appealed.
“The traffic warden service also assists in achieving the optimum turnover of cars in the parking areas to allow customers know that there is a likelihood of finding a parking space if they go into town,” she said.