Council moves on ‘meter feeders’ hogging Navan parking spaces

Motorists who flout the two hour parking rule in Navan town centre have returned to their cars to find warning notices on their windscreens over the past week as Meath County Council moves to clamp down on those “feeding the meter”.

In the warning note, Meath County Council advises motorists that parking for longer than two hours on all streets, and three hours in car parks is a parking offence which carries a €40 fine.

The notice goes on to advise that free parking is available at Pairc Tailteann and the Moathill Park and Ride and also provides details of where all-day car parking is available for a fee. This includes the LMETB offices at Railway Street, O'Mahony's GAA Club, Ramparts Car park and the Kells Road Car Park.

The issue of workers taking up parking spaces all day in the town centre and “feeding the meter” was discussed at the November meeting of Navan Municipal District when the council warned that there was going to be a crack down on the practice.

Cllr Francis Deane had called on the council to “ensure that the two-hour parking rule is properly policed, in particular, on Ludlow Street where business owners are witness to several people who feed the parking meters for a full day.” He was told Meath parking services will arrange for the traffic wardens to increase observations on cars with valid pay and display over two hours on Ludlow Street and all town centre locations.

Cllr Deane said it was an issue that had to be addressed. “I don't like to see this being abused. If it was policed properly, it would make a big difference to retailers,” he said.

While two-hour parking is in place to help retailers and businesses by ensuring a high turn over of parking spaces, serious concerns have been expressed by some businesses over the impact that policing the two-hour parking rule could have on their business.

Ciara Coffey, manager at Bozena Sarek Hair Salon on Academy Street argues that many of their clients would be longer than two hours in their salon and is fearful the clampdown will cost them customers.

“We have clients whose service would take longer than two hours. For a full head of highlights and a cut for example, it could take over four hours. We rang Meath County Council and explained this and asked if there was anything that could be done and they said our customers would have to park in Railway Street, O'Mahonys, the Ramparts or the Kells Road Car Park.”

None of these car parks are in close proximity and Ciara also said that they are not on the bus route for the NX from Moat Hill Park and Ride which was one of the suggestions put forward by the council.

“I explained that we are going to end up losing business. Our clients are not going to park that far away and walk especially if it is raining.”

Ciara also argued that there are not many other businesses in that area so there wouldn't be the same demand for spaces in that area.

“One woman who comes to me lives between Blanchardstown and Clonee. She used to live in Navan and when she comes down she goes other places or goes for lunch but all that will stop. I know we are not the only ones going to suffer. Or you might bump into someone and go for a coffee but you wont' do that if rushing back to your car.

“I do understand where they are coming from for the main shopping areas if people are clogging it up and I am not arguing for our staff. It is for our customers. We fear losing customers especially at this time of the year.”

Meath County Council did not confirm when the parking wardens would be instructed to start issuing tickets.

A spokesperson said: “Every year Meath County Council Parking reminds businesses and their employees to avoid parking on street and in short-term car parks to free up spaces for shoppers. This is done to raise awareness of parking time limits and promote the free all-day parking and other parking options”.