Lack of parking for residents affecting community viability
People living in Woodquay have urged Galway City Council to fulfil longstanding commitments to introduce residents-only parking in the area – to ensure it survives as a liveable community.
Woodquay Residents Association is concerned about plans to remove dozens of parking spaces between Galway Cathedral and Woodquay as part of proposals for a new public transport corridor and a pedestrian plaza off the Headford Road.
Woodquay has already lost 13 parking spaces due to the ongoing expansion and revamp of Woodquay Park, and there will be a loss of spaces due to the apartments’ plan for Dyke Road car park.
Residents said the loss of parking spaces was occurring at a time when City Hall had given the go-ahead for more residential units in Woodquay, without the provision of adequate parking spaces associated with those new homes.
“It’s as if the Council don’t expect us residents to own cars. But we live in the city and our parents and grandparents lived in Woodquay before us, and we have cars. They are just eradicating parking spaces and despite repeated promises, they are not making any parking provision for people who live there. It is extremely frustrating,” said a residents’ spokesperson.
People living in Waterside, Sickeen, Eyre Street, Corrib Terrace and elsewhere are finding it increasingly difficult to get parking spaces during the day or night, which is made worse by traffic generated by Airbnbs.
Woodquay residents fear that more accommodation is being built in the area without adequate parking.
“As things stand, once occupied, residents of these new developments will be eligible for city permits, inevitably bringing hundreds of additional cars into a city already struggling with severe congestion,” they said.
The residents’ association said it had been promised a pilot residents-only scheme and the introduction of a designated residents-only parking area but neither had been progressed.
“We believe that any car parking spaces removed must be replaced with additional spaces for residents. If the City Council cannot provide this, then it should stop removing existing spaces and cease issuing parking permits to occupants of new developments.
“This situation is worsened by what appears to be an intentional policy of eradicating cars from the city centre, as though residents with cars have no legitimate need for them.
“Many of us are third-generation residents in our homes; many others are fourth-generation. For long-standing families and our wider community, this is not simply about a parking space – it is about the viability of remaining in our family homes and the long-term sustainability of our community.
“This situation is having a profound and distressing impact on a long-established neighbourhood and we believe it requires urgent attention and meaningful engagement from Galway City Council,” Woodquay Residents Association said in a statement.
Residents this week suggested the Council introduce a resident-priority parking scheme, whereby parking on residential streets would be restricted primarily to resident homeowners and permit holders, and visitors would be directed to established public car parks.
Galway City Council was contacted for comment last week.
Pictured: The revamp and expansion of Woodquay Park has resulted in the loss of 13 parking spaces. PHOTO: JOE O'SHAUGHNESSY.