Ballinrobe businesses welcome free parking

Ciara Galvin

THIRTY minutes of free on street parking has been welcomed by businesses and shoppers in Ballinrobe.
The free parking period was introduced at the beginning of August and will last until the end of September when the trial period will be reviewed.
Former Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Damien Ryan, secured the trial period at the Mayo County Council meeting in the Credit Union in Ballinrobe last May.
A free period of parking had become a much debated issue and sought after by business throughout the market town.
Over three years ago town traders commissioned a survey on the recommendation of Mayo County Council in relation to parking and also formed a Town Management Team consisting of various representatives of community organisations and clubs.
“We founded the town management team over two years ago and we pushed for free parking and met with the council a number of times,” explained Town Management Team member Richard Cummins.
The local businessman said people are more relaxed while shopping in the town since the introduction of the free period.
“We want to assess the situation after this and put together a proposal for the future,” said Cummins.
Cummins went on to say that the team were trying to ‘incentivise’ people to come into the town and that at the next meeting with Mayo County Council the trial period would be discussed.
“We hope to put a long term structure on all of the parking issues in the town and have further discussions on long term parking for workers and commuters and different shoppers,” he said.
Speaking to The Mayo News about the free parking, newsagent and Town Management Team member, Martin Murphy, said the reaction to the free parking was ‘tremendous’.
“It’s great, the feedback has been really positive and we’re still working on other aspects of it and want to work with Mayo County Council in future. Customers are thrilled and the period clears up some inconsistencies about parking,” said Mr Murphy.
Owner of Chrysalis Beauty Salon, Stephanie Cawley, also said feedback has been very positive from customers in the town and said her clients are delighted with the current arrangement.  Mary Walkin of Walkin’s Gift Shop said she was personally delighted with the free parking and was ‘delighted to have got anything at all’.