*Photograph: Páraic McMahon
A TEXT ALERT system is to be considered for Ennis town to report illegal parking.
Staff in Clare County Council are to carry out a feasibility assessment to determine costs involved in developing a text alert system to clamp down on illegal parking and misuse of disability and age-friendly spaces.
It follows a proposal from Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) before the Ennis Municipal District seeking the introduction of the text alert scheme “similar to those operating successfully in other local authorities such as Gorey and Lucan, to enable members of the public to report the illegal parking of vehicles in disabled parking bays directly to traffic wardens for immediate enforcement”.
Administrative officer with the Council, Liam O’Connor said the local authority “supports the sentiment and objective of the notice of motion, which is to ensure that disabled parking bays are protected for those who genuinely need them”.
O’Connor outlined, “A short feasibility assessment will be carried out drawing on the experience of other local authorities where a text alert system is in place which will include the effectiveness of the system, costs and operational issues”.
Traffic wardens, staff in the Ennis MD and the Disabled Drivers Association will all be contacted to gauge their views, the administrative officer confirmed.
Speaking at the March meeting of the Ennis MD, Cllr O’Callaghan commented, “it is an issue close to all our hearts, we’re conscious of people with disabilities, mobility issues and our more mature people, the priority is that they get access to the amenities whether it is newsagents, grocery, chemists or post office”.
Within the town, “people are abusing parking spaces and it causes discomfort for people who need to park, it is causing significant concern” Cllr O’Callaghan flagged. “I’m delighted with the reply which is a clear indicator that we will look at this”. He quoted a national survey which indicated 94 respondents would welcome a text alert system. “This is to enable members of the public to report illegal parking in disabled spaces and parking bays,” he concluded.
Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) informed the meeting that she recently discovered a “quite sinister” scheme where blue badges can be purchased online to allow anyone park in disabled spaces, “I was on a young website that young people like, I saw that you can buy blue badges online and it put a chill up me”. She added, “the fact you can buy them in Penneys is quite shocking”.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) remarked, “I welcome the reply which is very positive, if we can get it up and running, it would assist those who need car parking spaces and our car parking attendant team”.
Commitment from Council officials to seriously examine the proposal was praised by Cllr Pat Daly (FF). “Illegal parking in disabled spaces is a huge issue in Ennis,” he said.
