McGuinness welcomes Council rethink on parking in Dungarvan

Sinn Féin Councillor Conor D. McGuinness has welcome the decision by Waterford City and County Council to institute free parking at Scanlon’s Yard until the end of July. McGuinness had lobbied Council management to make a concession on parking in the town centre in an effort to increase footfall in Dungarvan and to offset the impact of the remedial works in Grattan Square. 

McGuinness said:

“In the same week that many businesses in Dungarvan were re-opening, significant remedial works began in Grattan Square, closing off a number of parking spaces and causing disruption to traffic flow. 

“At the same time there had been several announcements regarding parking offers in Waterford up until 31 July, and Youghal instituted free parking in their town centre until August, at the earliest. 

“The Council has a role to play in supporting the local recovery. I had proposed that the free parking regime that had been in place over the past two months would continue over the summer in an effort to make shopping in Dungarvan a more attractive proposition. Unfortunately this proposal met with opposition from Council management and from Fine Gael locally. 

“In the interests of fairness and in an attempt to offer some support to local businesses and shoppers, I appealed to Council management to rethink their decision. I welcome the announcement that parking will be free in Scanlon’s Yard for June and July. The usual first-thirty-minute-free deal will continue to operate in other parts of the town centre. This is a positive step and will be welcomed by traders, shoppers and visitors alike. 

“Our local economy is in a vulnerable position and we need a joined-up approach to help SMEs re-open and to remain viable as we re-open our society and economy. Restoring confidence and re-building foot fall in our urban centres is key to getting money moving around our local economy. This is important for jobs and for a sustainable recovery. It sends out the right message – that Dungarvan is open for business.”

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McGuinness welcomes Council rethink on parking in Dungarvan

Sinn Féin Councillor Conor D. McGuinness has welcome the decision by Waterford City and County Council to institute free parking at Scanlon’s Yard until the end of July. McGuinness had lobbied Council management to make a concession on parking in the town centre in an effort to increase footfall in Dungarvan and to offset the impact of the remedial works in Grattan Square. 

McGuinness said:

“In the same week that many businesses in Dungarvan were re-opening, significant remedial works began in Grattan Square, closing off a number of parking spaces and causing disruption to traffic flow. 

“At the same time there had been several announcements regarding parking offers in Waterford up until 31 July, and Youghal instituted free parking in their town centre until August, at the earliest. 

“The Council has a role to play in supporting the local recovery. I had proposed that the free parking regime that had been in place over the past two months would continue over the summer in an effort to make shopping in Dungarvan a more attractive proposition. Unfortunately this proposal met with opposition from Council management and from Fine Gael locally. 

“In the interests of fairness and in an attempt to offer some support to local businesses and shoppers, I appealed to Council management to rethink their decision. I welcome the announcement that parking will be free in Scanlon’s Yard for June and July. The usual first-thirty-minute-free deal will continue to operate in other parts of the town centre. This is a positive step and will be welcomed by traders, shoppers and visitors alike. 

“Our local economy is in a vulnerable position and we need a joined-up approach to help SMEs re-open and to remain viable as we re-open our society and economy. Restoring confidence and re-building foot fall in our urban centres is key to getting money moving around our local economy. This is important for jobs and for a sustainable recovery. It sends out the right message – that Dungarvan is open for business.”