Donegal County Council is standing firm on a new parking ban on the Diamond in Donegal Town ahead of a protest tomorrow.
The protest, spearheaded by charity fundraiser Billy Bustard, seeks to overturn a new parking ban on the renovated Diamond public space. Mr Bustard was fined last Saturday for parking his van in the pedestrianised area as he promoted his latest fundraiser for the Donegal-Galway Cancer Bus.
In a statement today, the council clarified that it is not against charity sales. The council also reiterated its call on the public to continue to observe the new pedestrianisation.
“There has in recent days been some commentary on various media that the Council are preventing the use of the Diamond, Donegal Town for activities such as charity sales,” a spokesperson said.
“The Council wish to clarify that it has no such objections to these types of activities taking place here.
“The Council wishes to reiterate that its concern revolves around the periodic use of the Diamond as a parking area for any form of vehicle including their use associated with other activities taking place there, including charity activities. We would again ask that, for all of the reasons already provided by the Council, that everyone respect this request to ensure that the area can be enjoyed and accessed by all.”
Donegal County Council has asked for cooperation from all users of the Diamond in relation to ensuring the space is designated for pedestrian users and is free from vehicles, so as to ensure the following:
- The Diamond is a safe and welcoming space where community events can be held all year round.
- Avoid cracks to paving due to vehicles parking on the Diamond.
- Avoid the potential of pedestrians tripping and falling on the cracked paving.
- Avoid public money being spent on trip and fall claims that could easily be avoided if the paving was not damaged.
- Negate the Health & Safety issues associated with vehicles interacting with pedestrians in a designated public realm space, e.g.
- Vehicles moving around in a designated pedestrian area.
- Potential for kids touching hot exhausts.
- Potential for kids climbing on bikes and bikes falling over.
- To encourage a free flow of pedestrian users especially those with mobility impairments.
- To ensure everyone can enjoy the Diamond, avoid other users feeling uncomfortable or intimidated when they see motorbikes on the Diamond.
- Avoid oil from vehicles staining the new paving.
- Avoid tyre tracks on the new paving.
- Avoid damage to kerbs due to vehicles mounting them.
- Avoid street furniture being hit and damaged by vehicles.
- Ensuring that access through the public realm space is not being impeded by vehicles.