Kilkenny Councillors Postpone Key Vote on Parking By-Laws

URGENT UPDATE: Kilkenny City councillors have just voted to delay a crucial decision on new parking by-laws, impacting residents and visitors alike. The vote, initially planned for today, has been postponed until the December session, where it will be reviewed with or without amendments.

The proposed amendments are designed to replace the outdated Kilkenny Borough Council Parking Control By-Laws 2012 with the new Kilkenny City Municipal District Parking Control By-Laws 2025. During the public consultation phase, detailed plans were shared, but many councillors raised concerns about the proposed measures.

Leading the call for the deferral was Cllr David FitzGerald of Fine Gael, supported by Cllr Joe Malone from Fianna Fáil. FitzGerald criticized the council for “going around in circles” on traffic decisions and emphasized the need for more focused discussions on parking issues that have persisted for years.

If approved, one key component of the new by-laws would restrict parking to residents, caregivers, and visitors in 15 housing estates throughout Kilkenny City. This would include an annual fee of €20 for the first resident’s permit and €15 for a second permit, with additional costs for carer and visitor permits.

The local authority has also proposed designated parking areas with fees of €2 and €5 per day, along with various options for short, medium, and long-term parking. Concerns raised by residents included issues with parked caravans obstructing roads and the need for revisions to disabled parking regulations.

Cllr FitzGerald highlighted the council’s struggle in addressing these persistent issues, reminding fellow councillors of past mistakes. “It’s not that long ago we had to re-address parking decisions that were poorly thought through,” he stated.

Cllr Andrew McGuinness of Fianna Fáil also expressed frustration regarding the absence of sunflower parking bays on High Street, initially proposed years ago. “We need answers on why these haven’t been implemented,” he urged.

In defense of the proposed by-laws, Senior Roads Engineer Stan Cullen from Kilkenny County Council stated that the new parking controls are essential for managing limited parking spaces effectively and deterring illegal parking, ultimately improving traffic flow.

Residents eagerly await the outcome of the December meeting, which could significantly affect their parking rights and local traffic management. As discussions continue, the Kilkenny community remains engaged and hopeful for resolutions to their longstanding parking dilemmas.

Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds and the council prepares for critical deliberations in December.