Free car parking trial

THIRTY minutes free parking is to be introduced by Mayo County Council in Ballinrobe for the months of August and September.

The arrangement is only on a trial basis.

However, Claremorris is seeking a similar experiment and Councillor Tom Connolly (FG) tabled a notice of motion on the issue at last week's meeting of Claremorris Municipal District.

“What's good for the goose is good for the gander,” Councillor Connolly told officials and council colleagues. He was making the case that Claremorris get similar treatment to Ballinrobe.

Councillor Richard Finn (Independent) pointed out that the half hour's free parking planned for Ballinrobe was only a trial, nothing permanent.

The trial might have been more effective at a different time of year when where was not as big a footfall on the streets, the councillor suggested.

Paddy Mahon, director of services, said he would be inclined to see what could be learned from the Ballinrobe experiment before trying something similar in Claremorris.

“It may or not be the answer,” the official opined.

Members agreed that a similar pilot be conducted in Claremorris subject to what is learned from the Ballinrobe arrangement.