Trim cllrs to vote on restoration of local parking 'grace period'

A report assessing what budgetary changes would need to be made to allow for the reinstatement of the '10 minutes grace' free parking period in Trim is to be brought before councillors at a special meeting on Tuesday, 28th February. It is expected that once the figures are worked out to balance the books, councillors will vote on that date to restore the free 10 minutes parking. The abolition of the grace parking period was one of a number of changes to parking rules introduced in the council's 2012 budget. Parking charges were raised by 10 cent to €1 per hour, and the minimum charge was increased from 30c to 50c, but it was the removal of the 'grace period' that proved most controversial, prompting an angry backlash from traders who say it is having a detrimental effect on their businesses. Standing orders were suspended at last week's monthly meeting of the town council to discuss a motion put forward by Fianna Fail Cllrs Ronan McKenna and Vincent McHugh which called for the restoration of the grace period with immediate effect.