RESIDENTS in a Northside village have vowed to fight tooth and nail against a plan to impose parking charges.
The Department of Marine is planning to impose the charges at Howth harbour.
Residents believe if the plan is implemented, it will have a
“disastrous
? effect on local business and tourism.
The controversial proposal has caused uproar and a packed public meeting was held last week to discuss the issue.
Pat Murphy, from Howth Yacht Club, said he and his fellow members are vehemently opposed to the plan, which he believes will affect all businesses in the village.
“We already have a major problem trying to keep members and have been reducing our fees as a result,
? Mr Murphy told Northside People.
“Parking at the harbour will make it much more expensive to use the harbour not just for recreation but for business purposes as well.
“These fees would be a total disaster for the village if they were introduced and I really don’t see the need for them as we don’t have a problem with parking here.
?
Paul Brady, President of Howth Sutton Baldoyle Chamber of Commerce, praised local residents, businesses and clubs for coming together to fight the plan.
“I would question whether paid parking would even make any money in the first instance,
? said Mr Brady.
“Even if it did, any decision should be based on an assessment of the economic impact paid parking will have.
“That assessment would include the potential for business closures which means lost rent for the Department and lost business and payroll taxes for the exchequer.
?
A spokesman for the Department of Marine confirmed that a paid parking system is currently under consideration.
“Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is first and foremost a working fishery harbour,
? he told Northside People.
“It has a number of business customers, including business tenants, vessel owners and crew. Full access is required for commercial traffic servicing the fishing side and the various ancillary enterprises, with appropriate parking arrangements.
“It is acknowledged that there are, and have always been, a wide range of recreational users of Howth Fishery Harbour Centre also, including the yacht club, walkers, sightseers and other social users.
?
The spokesman said a
“significant
? number of parking spaces in Howth harbour are currently being taken up by commuters using the DART service during the working week.
“Traffic and parking management within the Fishery Harbour Centre itself has been an issue for some time, particularly in the light of concerns raised about safety and emergency access by the Coastguard, the Lifeboat service and An Garda SÃochána,
? he claimed.
“The introduction of paid parking is one (and only one) of a number of measures being introduced to address those concerns.
“Fishery Harbour Centres are financed from the Fishery Harbour Centres Fund.
“All income generated is lodged to this ring-fenced fund. It is the only funding available for the operation and management of the Fishery Harbours.
?
The spokesman said additional revenues to be generated from paid parking will be re-invested in facilities and enhancements that would not otherwise have been possible given the current financial constraints.
“It is clear from recent correspondence from a wide range of harbour users that there are serious concerns about the possible effect that the introduction of paid parking might have,
? he added.
“The new parking arrangements will be designed as far as possible to be fair to all users, while ensuring that everyone pays their fair share of the cost of upkeep of the facility.
?
Dublin North East TD Tommy Broughan (Lab) said it was vital that full and detailed consultations with local community leaders are urgently held.
“The introduction of paid parking would also have severe repercussions for businesses on the West Pier and Harbour Road, and for the village centre which was not built to take excess parking,
? he stated.
Senator Averil Power (FF) argued that the introduction of paid parking would put people off travelling to Howth to shop, to eat in local restaurants and to take part in sporting activities.
“Local businesses are already struggling to keep their doors open and to provide jobs as it is,
? she stated.
“Having to pay to park beside the DART station will also put people off taking the train to work and result in greater congestion on our roads.
?
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Cian O’Callaghan questioned the need for paid parking when there’s ample parking in the harbour each day.
“Rows and rows of empty parking spaces are free for use every day of the week,
? he said.
“There is absolutely no need for pay and display to encourage more efficient use of the parking spaces when there is an oversupply of parking in Howth harbour.
?