Traffic warden comparisons in Mayo districts ‘unfair’

COMPARISONS between traffic/litter wardens in Westport and Ballinrobe/Claremorris have been described as 'unfair'.

Claremorris-based Independent Councillor Richard Finn took a Westport colleague, Fine Gael's Peter Flynn, to task over the comparisons, saying the warden in his district is doing a good job.

The west Mayo member, he told a Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District meeting, had spoken in the media about the number of parking fines issued in Westport, saying there were only three in the east/south district.

The comparisons were something Councillor Finn took 'extreme exception to'.

He pointed out how Westport, Castlebar and Ballina have full-time wardens. Westport has two, covering the town only, and they work six days a week.

The Claremorris-Swinford MD has one warden, working five days a week, and covering an area one-third of the county on his own, from Cloontia to Cong.

Since Christmas alone, the warden had received 180 litter call-outs.

He was doing a good job, encouraging everyone to pay their parking under serious pressure for one person.

"We need extra staff," he told management. "One man can't do the work of 10."

Elected members, he added, should investigate these matters before speaking on the public airwaves about a member of staff.

His district colleagues supported Councillor Finn, with Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry Murray saying an audit of capital investment over the last 10 years would show a major tilt towards west Mayo as opposed to the east of the county.

"There is a perception that the east is not getting its fair share of the county pie and I would hope that would change," he said.

Councillor Murray said he didn't think any councillor in another district should be critical of what is happening in theirs. The comments made were unjustifiable.

Councillor Damien Ryan said the person they have does a fantastic job but there was a physical impossibility given the geographical area involved.

He asked that their resources be brought up to the same par as other districts, with additional personnel employed.

There were parking charges in Ballinrobe and Claremorris long before Westport, pointed out Councillor Patsy O'Brien.

On capital investment, he made the point that the south/east region had not elected anyone to the Dáil, and so had no representation.