Free parking scheme may cost Galway City Council €20,000

The initiative, which may cost Galway City Council up to €20,000 in lost revenue, came into effect and allows car owners to park for free from 10 am to 12 noon over a trial three week period.

“It will be the middle of next week before we have a look at it,” said Jim Molloy of the Galway Transport Unit (GTU). “We will be keeping an eye on it and we may extend it at another time of year.”

The GTU agreed to introduce the scheme following representations from the Galway City Business Association (GCBA), who called for measures to encourage people to visit the city centre.

A number of private parking companies have “rowed in” behind the scheme while some traders are offering discounts between 10 am and 12 noon to encourage shoppers to take advantage of the free parking initiative.

The initiative covers parking spaces on Augustine Street, Dominick Street, Forthill Street, Lombard Street, Cross Street, Market Street, Raven Tce, Bothar Irwin, Eyre Street, Frenchville Lane, Merchant’s Road, Newtownsmyth, Woodquay, Bridge Street, Forster Street, Headford Road, Middle Street, St Brendan’s Avenue, and Court Lane.

“We welcome this initiative as it sends out the message that there is value to be had in parking in Galway,” said Anthony Ryan of the GCBA.

“We are delighted that Galway City Council have taken the lead on this. We would hope that they might do something similar again after the children go back to school in January, at a time of year when we don’t have a lot of tourists around.”