Westport streets are being treated like a halting site claims Hyland

THE streets of Westport are being treated like a halting site due to the number of camper vans which park overnight, according to a local councillor.

Independent councillor Christy Hyland made the comment at the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District where he called for by-laws to regulate the overnight parking of camper vans in Westport.

The councillor claimed that residents were waking up to camper vans parked outside their homes and action needs to be taken to stop this practice.

“We welcome tourism and camper tourism but there are streets in Westport which at some stages are being treated like a halting site. What is going on along some of the streets, particularly along the Mall and Fairgreen is not on. People get up in the morning sometimes and see four camper vans outside their door on the street and it is not good. We have to deal with it,” he said.

Head of the Municipal District, Padraig Walsh accepted that the matter has been raised on a number of occasions but shortage of staff in the council offices has prevented them from drawing up by-laws in respect to overnight parking.

Resources

HOWEVER he added that even if by-laws were enacted the council do not have the resources to enforce them at weekends.

“The reality is if someone comes in and parks on the street at 8 or 9 o'clock on a Friday or Saturday night they will be nobody there to impose the camper van bylaws.

“If you are suggesting we have people available 24/7, 365 days a year to enforce camper van bylaws it won't happen. Maybe this needs to be looked at in a different way rather than enforcement,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Cllr Hyland called for street furniture along Mill Street in Westport to be reinstated following work which is to take place in the next couple of weeks.

The councillors were informed that 500m from the Clock down Mill Street is due to be resurfaced and as a result the street furniture which was placed on the street outside businesses will have to be taken up.

When asked about this, Cllr Hyland was informed that the street furniture currently in place on Mill Street is unlicensed. Cllr Hyland said he hoped the street furniture will be allowed to go back down when the works are complete as they are used and add 'to the ambiance of the town'.