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Bandon's parking spaces for the elderly

December 20th, 2017 11:55 AM

By Kieran O'Mahony

At the launch of the new Bandon Age-Friendly parking spaces were Mairead McCarthy, Cork County Council; Carol Crean, Age Friendly Bandon; Jim Daly, Minister of State; Niamh Sammon and Andrew Fallon, Riverview Shopping Centre. (Photo: Denis Boyle)

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Bandon has become the fourth Cork town to provide Age Friendly car parking spaces which organisers hope will be operated on a goodwill basis.

BANDON has become the fourth Cork town to provide Age Friendly car parking spaces which organisers hope will be operated on a goodwill basis.

The launch of the 10 spaces – which can also be used by mothers with prams – took place in  the Riverview Shopping Centre last Friday with Junior Minister for Mental Health and Older People Jim Daly giving the key note address.

Mary O’Brien, chairperson of the Bandon Age Friendly Committee thanked Mairead McCarthy from Cork County Council for her help in this initiative and Riverview Shopping Centre who have provided six age friendly car parking spaces in their car park, with the other four located in the town. ‘These allocated spaces are not just for the elderly but for other people who may need them like mothers with prams. It won’t be policed and it’s not enforceable and we are depending on the goodwill of people in using them,’ said Mary.

Deputy Daly acknowledged the hard work and foresight  of the Bandon Age Friendly Town Group in pushing this initiative and also Cork County Council for driving it.

‘Age Friendly car parking spaces are small but very important steps in recognising and facilitating our elderly and I like the bit where we are letting it up to peoples’ morals,’ said Deputy Daly.

Cllr Gillian Coughlan, who was deputising for County Mayor Cllr Declan Hurley, also paid tribute to the Bandon Age Friendly Age Group, who she said have ‘done extraordinary work in such a short time.’

‘Bandon will be a pioneer town for people of different ages and it’s a small initiative but it indicates our interest in people and it shows that we care. 

‘I commend all those who made it happen and especially the management of the Riverview Shopping Centre who have given us spaces outside which are at a premium,’ said Cllr Coughlan.

Deputy Margaret Murphy O’Mahony also attended the launch and said that anything that helps people come into the town is to be welcomed.

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