New Cleggan car park ends residents’ torment

There were too frequently trapped by those travelling on the ferry to Inishbofin who would park outside driveways in the village – but new traffic bye-laws will put an end to that.

A Galway County Council-operated car park was officially opened in the village and a new traffic management plan and car park bye-laws are set to come into force by the end of June.

Cllr Eileen Mannion from Clifden said that for years the village of Cleggan had become a car park during the busy summer months and there had been calls for the implementation of a traffic management plan.

“In order to do this a public car park had to be provided,” Cllr Mannion explained.

She said that Cleggan and Claddaghduff Community Council and Galway County Council had worked together over the last few years to secure the land for the car park and to draw up the traffic management plan.

“There was public consultation in drawing up the traffic management plan and an effort was made to accommodate all viewpoints,” Cllr Mannion added.

Cleggan is where passengers and tourists avail of the regular boat service to Inishbofin. For a number of years it was proposed to provide a new car park in the village.

Galway County Council initiated proposals to implement traffic restrictions in the village as well as providing a car park with more than 60 spaces.

There will also be parking restrictions along the pier where cars are often ‘abandoned’ for days. This ban is to ensure the orderly use of the pier.

Prior to the opening of the new car park, parking in Cleggan village was not coordinated with those taking the ferry availing of any space in the village that became available. This will no longer be the case.

There are times when those using the ferry parked in front of houses and gateways and prevented access to dwellings and business premises.

Local residents were fuming that during the height of the tourist season they can often became prisoners in their own homes due to the unregulated parking that occurred in the village.

The new car park was officially opened by the Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr Peter Roche while also in attendance were Minister of State Sean Kyne and Cathaoirleach of Connemara Municipal Council, Cllr Eileen Mannion.

It was also attended by Fianna Fail’s Deputy Eamon O Cuiv, Cllrs Niamh Byrne, Tom Healy and Sean O Tuairisg as well as the CEO of Galway County Council Kevin Kelly, Director of Services for Roads and Transportation Liam Gavin as well as engineers and staff from Galway County Council along with members of Cleggan and Claddaghduff Community Council and Cleggan Tidy Towns.