Councillors defer decision on reinstatement of parking machines until after summer

A DECISION on whether or not Galway City Council will reinstate parking machines will not be made until   September at the earliest — prompting accusations that the council is “kicking the fiasco further down the road”.

Members voted to allow six months for data collection to weigh up the pros and cons of reinstalling the ticket-dispensing machines, following a proposal from Labour Cllr Níall McNeilis, who argued that a full year of data was needed before any final decision was taken.

“This will give the opportunity to have enough data that includes the summer period,” Cllr McNeilis told the Galway City Tribune.

“Too much money has been spent to date to rush the decision. We can’t make an informed decision with only half of the data. We need to make a proper business case for or against the reinstatement of parking machines and the use of app, web, phone and payzone options.”

Cllr McNeiliis highlighted that the leasing and operation of parking machines would cost the council €305,000 per year.

The current payment model — without machines —  is estimated to cost €78,000 annually based on average revenue, saving €227,000 per year.

Cllr Aisling Burke (SF) said  “we are as well to do it right rather than being left with egg on our face”, while Cllr Helen Ogbu (Lab) noted that, until the full implications are known, “we don’t know which way we will go”.

Cllr Alan Curran (Soc Dem) called for a “holistic approach” to parking policy in line with Active Travel and public realm initiatives, and was among those who requested a dedicated parking workshop for councillors in advance of any decision.

However, Cllr Clodagh Higgins (FG) described the delay as “embarrassing” and said she was “shocked that we are kicking the parking fiasco further down the road”.

Cllr Eibhlín Seoighthe (Ind) voiced “serious concerns” about pushing out the decision and questioned whether enough consideration was given to those living outside Galway City.

Several councillors commended Director of Services Patrick Greene for publishing an information booklet on parking, although Cllr Declan McDonnell (Ind) requested that a dedicated leaflet also be produced to ensure wider public awareness.

The Director of Services told the meeting that a minimum six-month period was needed to gather more complete data on parking payments, due to the financial implications of reinstalling machines.

“We didn’t start this journey from the point that we wanted, but we are where we are,” he said.

“What I am looking for is a minimum of six months. We are now in the thick of it. Let us come back with the facts and see where we land. Going back to machines is a big decision financially.”

Mr Greene said value for money must remain the priority after what he described as a “turbulent” year for parking policy.

“We need to find out how many people will utilise the other payment methods,” he continued.

“We are very close in budget terms to where we need to be. I would still have to go back out to tender to upgrade the parking machines and there is a risk in that.

“Technology moves very quickly and before we do that, I am asking for a period of grace to let me try to implement communication plans. It is about value for money and where we spend our money.”

Report funded by the Local Democracy Scheme

Pictured: Decision deferred: some of the out-of-use pay and display parking machines.