Councillors, locals voice concern over plan to introduce parking fees in Phoenix Park

Local councillors and north Dublin residents have voiced their criticism of the plan by the Office of Public Works (OPW) to introduce car parking charges across Phoenix Park.

The proposal to introduce the tariff is part of the Phoenix Park Draft Parking Strategy, which includes several recommendations on parking, cycling and transport to and from the park.

An online consultation survey regarding the proposals is currently open to the public and will close on Monday, June 6.

Local Fine Gael councillor Colm O’Rourke says there is a growing concern among residents of nearby areas that the plan to introduce parking charges create congestion on surrounding roads.

“This is not a genuine environmental initiative as it will not stop people travelling by car but rather push the car parking, illegal parking, traffic congestion, blocked footpaths and other issues from the Phoenix Park into communities across the Navan Road, Ashtown, Cabra and other areas,” he says.

“Rather than pushing the issue from one jurisdiction controlled by the OPW to another jurisdiction controlled by Dublin City Council, the root cause of the issue should be tackled to ensure we have a greener Park but also to ensure that our communities are protected.

“There are several proposals in the Phoenix Park Parking Strategy that are very much welcome and exciting such as increased cycle parking, increased cycle hire and the possibility of enhanced public transport availability/reintroduction of a shuttle bus within and close to the park but parking charges would negatively impact our community.

“There are parking issues in the park on a certain number of days in the year, mainly weekends in the summer, therefore a blanket 365 day parking charge is not appropriate.”

In the Draft Strategy, the OPW says that a “balance needs to be struck in ensuring safety of park users travelling on foot and by cycle whilst facilitating access for all, including those for whom the car is the only viable mode to access the park.

“Such users may include visitors with disabilities and older persons.”

The strategy proposes to increase the number of bicycle parking areas as well as developing cycle repair stations and cycle pumps in a bid to encourage people to cycle.

Expanding on the current bicycle rental scheme is also being proposed under the strategy.

A bus service that runs through Phoenix Park is also being considered as is a shuttle bus that operates between key destinations and attractions.

The OPW has laid out several options for improving car parking in Phoenix Park which includes realigning existing car parks, develop a new car park near Dublin Zoo, and introducing a Park & Ride facility.

The strategy says that “as parking within the Phoenix Park is currently free of charge, some parking capacity is used by commuters rather than park visitors, exacerbating parking pressure and issues of inappropriate parking.”

It also acknowledges that the introduction of parking charges will be “divisive” it will “encourage changes in user behaviour and support uptake of sustainable travel modes for travel to and from the park.”

However, O’Rourke says that “more and more residents are becoming aware of this proposal, and as a result, I have received a huge volume of residents queries to say that it would be a move in the wrong direction for the nearby communities.

“Residents fear that the car parking charge proposal will not force the public to use public transport but rather see people park their vehicles in nearby communities, on footpaths, on grass verges, and congest our communities that should be liveable, breathable, with spaces for people to use and streets for kids to play.”