Parking charges in Mayo town will be resisted

ANY attempt to introduce parking charges in Foxford will be strongly resisted.

That's the vow from local Councillor Neil Cruise.

People have raised the issue after line marking works were undertaken in the church and town car parks in recent days.

Councillor Cruise took to social media after it was brought to his attention that there are queries regarding whether paid car parking is going to be introduced into Foxford.

He explained: “Earlier this year, I allocated €6,000 notice of motion funding to have line marking refreshed in areas of the town, with particular emphasis on completing the car park in the middle of the town and the car park between the church and the national school, as the line marking in them had become 'tired'.

“As I allocated these monies, these works have been carried out at no expense to central council budgets.

“In the last council term (2014 to 2019), I led the opposition to a proposal from senior management in Mayo County Council to bring car parking charges into Foxford and eight other medium size towns in Co. Mayo, including Swinford, Kiltimagh, Charlestown, Crossmolina, Killala, Belmullet, Knock and Ballyhaunis.

“I was successful on that occasion and will strongly resist any attempt to bring car parking charges into Foxford in the future.”

His colleague Councillor Jarlath Munnelly supported his stance, saying it would cost the council more money to implement parking charges in the smaller towns that it would make (the cost of parking ticket machines, paying staff, etc., versus the money it’ll take in).

“It’s a bad idea, and I’ll support you in opposing it too,” he responded.