Kerry businesses to resist increased parking charges

Kerry business and council representatives have said they will resist higher parking prices in the county’s towns and said more car parking spaces, not increased charges, are needed.

The review of parking flagged by senior council staff will be part of the budget for next year.

Kerry County Council bosses have big plans for Budget 2017 including redevelopment in Tralee town centre, at least three greenways, a theatre for Killarney, and Smart Travel projects.

The council is facing a budget shortfall of around €5.5m in its €128.6m spend.

However, it is the small change to car park meters that may have to pay for it — as well as a change in how the council gives rates refunds on vacant town properties.

Off-street parking alone brought in close to €1.9m to the council last year and street parking and fines a further €1m.

New figures show that just five Kerry towns bring in parking charges.

There is no off-street parking in Killorglin, where new roadworks have decreased the number of car spaces, and no fee-paying car parks in towns such as Kenmare or Cahersiveen, councillors have said.

A council spokesman said the possibility of small charges in these towns may be in the mix.

A multi-storey car park has long been called for in Killarney; Tralee streets have bollards so cars cannot park; and, for 20 years, Kenmare has sought a solution to street parking where street traders take up car spaces.

“What we’re looking for is an increase in the amount of parking spaces,” said Kate O’Leary president of Killarney Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.

Another option which the council can look at is rates on vacant properties. Big premises on main streets which are empty get 100% rate refunds in Kerry.

However, under 2014 legislation, council members can decide if full refunds will be given on vacant business properties.

Independent councillor Johnny Healy-Rae said: “We have trouble enough getting money out of people occupying premises — not to mind from people not occupying premises.”

He has also warned there will be a return to the days when property owners took the roofs off buildings so they would not have to pay rates. He said he can count 50 vacant commercial premises along the Ring in south Kerry alone, adding that not allowing 100% rate refunds in big towns would have to apply in small towns too.

Figures released by the council detail how Kerry’s off-street car parks in 2015 provided €1,875,536.97 — Killarney (five car parks) €879,649.15; Tralee (nine) €792,382.90; Listowel (one car park) €49,998.59; Dingle (three) €141,560.57; and Ballybunion (two) €11,945.76.