More than 200 parking fines for MacCurtain Street so far in 2023

Some 25 motorists were fined for parking on a double yellow line, while 24 motorists were fined for not having a current tax disc displayed on their vehicle when it was parked. File picture: Dan Linehan

Cork City Council have handed out 203 parking fines to drivers on MacCurtain Street so far in 2023.

Figures seen by the Irish Examiner show that more than a quarter of the fines have been to people who have parked on footways — with 59 issued by the council between January and November 20.

The charges were issued for 12 different categories of offences.

Some 25 motorists were fined for parking on a double yellow line, while 24 motorists were fined for not having a current tax disc displayed on their vehicle when it was parked.

The council said that of the 203 fines, only 176 had been paid as of Monday morning.

They noted that ongoing works led to an “impact on enforcement”. 

Fine amounts range from €40 for a range of offences, up to €150 for parking in a disabled person’s parking bay without a badge — with five drivers fined for the latter offence so far in 2023.

Works have been ongoing at MacCurtain Street for the past two years as part of a public realm project that has seen millions of euros go into revamping the entire area.

The upgrade on the street is on course to be completed by mid-December and will create a vital public transport corridor.

On Tuesday, two-way traffic returned to MacCurtain Street for the first time since 1968. 

Traffic management barriers that were in place for the project came down on Tuesday morning, with vehicular traffic travelling in both directions.

A trial run took place in order to "observe and resolve any teething issues" that may be in place and included assessing optimal traffic light sequences.

The trial, running until Sunday when it will officially open, involves empty buses running in the new direction and also means the new westbound lane has been opened to motorists for the first time.