Mayo tennis club introducing 'pay for parking' at busy location

Castlebar Tennis Club has confirmed its decision to introduce a 'pay for parking' system on its property at Lough Lannagh because of health and safety concerns.

Barriers will shortly be erected at the entrance to the club's car park which has 70 spaces.

Those accessing the facility will pay a charge of €2 to exit.

The decision was taken following the termination of a long-standing agreement with Mayo County Council for the use of the facility by members of the public using the Leisure Centre at Lough Lannagh.

While the club is amenable to reaching a new arrangement with the council going forward, it says it has now been left with no option but to introduce measures to ensure a safe environment for members and non-members parking on their property.

A club spokesperson stated: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused to the public at this time."

The change will focus attention on the need for the council to increase its car parking facilities in and around the busy leisure centre.

The council is acutely aware of the need for a overall plan for the location, which includes the regular traffic difficulties being encountered at the Lannagh Road junction to the site, where a children's playground and multi-use games arena (MUGA) area in place.

The access road also leads to the Lough Lannagh Holiday Village and Castlebar Boxing Club.

Plans are also in the pipeline to complete the climbing wall facility, located beside the leisure centre, later this year.