Trim councillors iron out parking charge anomaly

Trim Town Councillors have agreed that the daily rate for those with permits to allow long-term parking in the short-term car parks in Trim is to remain at €3 per day. While hourly rates in the town increased from 60c to 80c per hour, long-term parking rates were not increased but an anomaly arose that saw the cost of long-term permits for short-stay car parks dramatically increase. When Trim Town Council introduced paid parking in the town, provision was made for local businesspeople who needed to park in the centre of the town for work reasons to apply for a permit to park in short-stay car parks for a daily charge. Council cathaoirleach Trevor Golden brought forward a motion calling on the council to return to the previous rate of €3 per day. Trim Town Manager Kevin Stewart explained that an anomaly arose when they applied the increases to the hourly rate and agreed that councillors had not increased long-term charges. The cost for a one-month permit is €60 for five days and €70 for six days; €170 for a three-month permit for five-day parking, and €210 for a three-month permit for six-day parking. Cllr Golden suggested that a 10 per cent discount be given if people 'buy in bulk'. The meeting heard how some monthly permits had been issued at €30 per month in error, as the charge should have been €3 per day. Town Clerk Brian Murphy said the motion brought the parking rate back to what it should have been all along. Cllr Phil Cantwell said that one person had paid €30 a month, and then it had gone up to €104. People were aggrieved, he said. He suggested that the cost of the monthly permit be €40. Mr Murphy said that the weekly take is €32 per space and that they have a €5m loan to service. If they wanted to cut down on the intake, they would have to review their reconstruction project. The €3 charge was approved. Cllr Ray Butler suggested that the council write to the local businesspeople and explain what had happened.