Extra Parking Urgently Needed Off Main Street in Carrigaline

Writes Leo McMahon

Delivery of a new public car park on the Aldi store site adjoining Main Street, Carrigaline was urged in a motion from Cllr Jack White (FG) at the recent meeting of the county council’s Carrigaline Municipal District (MD).

Provision of this was part of the planning permission for the new Aldi store development. The segment ran alongside the wall opposite the terrace.

‘Town centre car parking is vital and we need a lot more of it,’ said Cllr White who envisaged that some existing parking would inevitably be reduced resulting from the proposed Carrigaline Transportation and Public Realm Enchancement Plan (TPREP). He urged that it be prioritised.

In support, an Cathaoirleach Cllr Seamus McGrath (FF) said the car park should be in place before any loss was incurred by the TPREP.

Cllr Jack White outside the Aldi and former Carrigaline Pottery site where 30 much needed off-street car parking spaces are proposed - photo - Leo McMahon

In a report, MD officer Denise Kidney said details of the proposed 30 car spaces were still being finalised. One of the conditions of planning for the Aldi site which she quoted, was ‘The 30 spaces proposed by the applicant within their development site are to be made available to the public at all times, unless otherwise agreed with the council. The applicant shall be responsible for the maintenance and construction of same’. She added that once the agreement had been finalised, the details would be shared with the councillors.

Senior executive officer Maurice Murphy assured members that the council’s property section was active in getting it over the line. There had been a lot of personnel changes on the Aldi side which may have delayed things.

Ms Kidney said the ‘Part 8’ planning application by the local authority for the proposed Carrigaline Village Public Realm project in Owenabue car park was due to go before the full council on July 8th. However, it was possible that tender timelines could change.

Cllr McGrath had a motion that a footpath connection be constructed to link the new Water’s Edge development to the existing path at Church Road, Carrigaline. Several dwellings were now occupied, he added.

In reply, the engineer said this was to be completed by the developer but, as requested, she undertook to contact the council’s planning section.