A Letterkenny councillor has called for ‘common sense’ in the parking appeals process in the town amid rising frustration.
Councillor Ciaran Brogan said a “fresh look” is needed at the work of traffic wardens, which he says is being “run like a secret service since the Town Council was abolished”.
“We have always prided ourselves in Letterkenny for having a good relationship with businesses”, Cllr Brogan said, citing the half-hour free parking allowance in the town centre.
He told Tuesday’s meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District that people’s genuine explanations have not been listened to in the appeals process.
“I’ve heard too many stories of no common sense and I have not heard from any person that has managed to win an appeal,” he said.
“We need to continue to be a town that is friendly to do business in,” he added.
Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly said a review of the service was “a long time coming”.
“The majority of us are receiving calls in relation to parking fines, with no leeway or common sense. In some cases, it’s not on,” Cllr Kelly said.
In response, Donegal County Council said the Parking Section is currently reviewing paid parking operations across the whole county, and it is intended to hold workshops in all municipal districts in the coming months.
Cllr Brogan said he was not waiting for a review to happen countywide. “I am interested in what is happening in Letterkenny,” he said.
