Kilkenny Councillors Postpone Vote on New Parking By-Laws

Proposed new parking by-laws for Kilkenny City faced a setback on November 3, 2023, as local councillors voted to delay their adoption. The motion to defer was introduced by Cllr David FitzGerald of Fine Gael and supported by Cllr Joe Malone from Fianna Fáil. The vote will now be rescheduled for the council’s December meeting, where it will be considered for approval with or without amendments.

The Kilkenny County Council had aimed to replace the existing Parking Control By-Laws from 2012 with the proposed Kilkenny City Municipal District Parking Control By-Laws 2025. A public consultation process earlier in the year provided residents with access to detailed plans regarding the new regulations.

During the council meeting, several councillors expressed concerns about the proposed by-laws. Cllr FitzGerald argued for a postponement, stating that the council has been “going around in circles” regarding traffic and road management decisions in recent years. He emphasized the need for a dedicated session to discuss the proposed changes thoroughly.

One significant aspect of the draft by-laws pertains to “access only parking,” which limits parking to residents with permits, caregivers, or visitors. If adopted, this regulation would affect 15 housing estates in the city and impose a fee of €20 for the first resident’s permit and €15 for a second permit issued to the same residence in the same year. Caregivers and visitors would also be charged €20 for permits.

Additionally, the proposed regulations outline designated parking areas with daily fees of €2 and €5, as well as options for short, medium, and long-term parking. The council received five public submissions during the consultation process, which raised various issues, including concerns over parked caravans obstructing residential areas and a request to eliminate time limits for disabled parking bays. One resident highlighted that parking on Green’s Hill has become a “pinch point.”

Cllr FitzGerald reiterated the importance of addressing the recurring issues that have persisted in council meetings for years. He cautioned against repeating past mistakes, recalling how previously implemented parking changes had to be reversed shortly after their introduction.

Another councillor, Cllr Andrew McGuinness of Fianna Fáil, voiced frustration over the failure to implement “sunflower bays” on High Street, a matter initially raised by Cllr Maria Dollard years ago. He questioned why these bays had not yet been established despite the initial discussions.

In response, Stan Cullen, Senior Roads Engineer with Kilkenny County Council, explained that sunflower bays are deemed more suitable for quieter areas and may not be appropriate for a busy location like High Street. He added that the bays are discretionary and could be prone to misuse.

The executive arm of Kilkenny County Council justified the proposed by-laws, stating that the revisions are essential for managing the limited parking resources in the city effectively. These measures aim to deter illegal parking, maintain traffic flow, and promote alternative modes of transport. Cullen noted that the by-laws would also help ensure residents have better access to their homes.

As the council prepares to revisit the proposed by-laws in December, responses to the public submissions will be issued, keeping community feedback at the forefront of the ongoing discussions.