Residents protest Blanchardstown Centre toll plan

Shoppers fear they could soon be paying just to collect a prescription or post a letter, as anger erupts over plans to put toll barriers on Blanchardstown Centre’s 7,000 parking spaces.

A first protest against the plans was staged in the Centre last Saturday, November 15, and a bigger one is planned for Saturday, December 6, one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Solidarity TD for Dublin West, Ruth Coppinger, said she has objected with Fingal Council to the planning application for barriers and is helping workers and the community to organise against “being fleeced in a cost of living crisis”.

“Toll parking would also only increase online shopping and exacerbate shop closures and job losses in the Centre”, said Deputy Coppinger.

“Toll barriers would lead to more congestion in and around the Centre; more delays to already bogged-down public transport, most of which goes through the Centre; and overflow parking in neighbouring estates like Whitestown, Sheepmoor, Hillbrook Woods etc.

“These charges are being proposed by a huge international investment fund, SVP, who’ve bought the Centre and will squeeze for profit the retail workers, shoppers and local community who use key public facilities at the Centre.

“It is particularly scandalous that key resources such as the Library, Post Office, Draoicht, credit union, banking, medical facilities and Fingal Council offices would be accessible at a cost for all, but especially older and disabled people who may be reliant on car use.

“The Centre’s retail workers are not well paid, already suffering the Cost of Living crisis and will now be penalised further by a wealthy corporation. Liffey Valley workers can pay up to €600 per year.

“The plan would also fell nearly 500 mature trees and erect large LED signage, damaging the environment and biodiversity.

“A protest will be held in the Centre on Saturday 6 December at 1pm, one of the busiest shopping days of the year to send a message to Centre management that we won’t accept this profit-grab and enclosure of an open community resource.”