No easing of suburb’s pay parking bylaws despite pleas

Despite pleas from three councillors, there will be no relaxation in pay parking bylaws in a Cork suburb any time soon.

Councillors David Boyle (Ind), Seamus McGrath (FF), and Deirdre Forde (FG), asked that people be given one hour’s free parking on the streets of Douglas (normally 80ct/hr) and that the charge for day-long parking at the off-street Woollen Mills site be reduced from €3 to €1.50.

All three said they were inundated with requests from local traders for the changes, with Mr Boyle claiming some businesses had closed because the charges were driving shoppers away from the town centre.