DESPITE the launch of a free long-stay pilot parking initiative in Bandon last week, motorists are not happy according to councillors who reiterated their call for a long-term strategy for parking in the town.

Cork County Council has teamed up with Bandon GAA to introduce 28 parking spaces, including two designated accessible bays at the club grounds, which will be available for public use between 8am and 7pm daily.

Clear roadside signage will be installed on key approach routes to the town to highlight the availability of these spaces, while pedestrian access from the car park will link directly to New Road, ensuring pedestrians are conveniently located within a brief walk of Bandon town centre.

However, on a visit there last Friday lunchtime The Southern Star found the car park empty except for just one car, and it was the same on Tuesday morning of this week.

At last week’s meeting of Bandon Kinsale Municipal District Cllr Gillian Coughlan (FF) said they need to talk about the parking issue in Bandon but it would be for another day, while Cllr Alan Coleman (Ind) said workers in the town have contacted him about the fact that the Council is taking away parking for them and that it doesn’t reflect what is needed in the town.

‘They want more parking closer to the town centre and our proposals don’t seem to be going down that well,’ he said.

The new pilot scheme according to Council officials forms a key element of the wider Bandon Parking Strategy, which also proposed the introduction of new time-regulated byelaws across four town centre car parks– Ballymodan Place, Mill Place, Glasslyn Road and Brady’s Lane.

The closing date for submissions on the proposed byelaws is April 15th and the implementation of them is expected to enhance accessibility and support greater movement throughout Bandon’s commercial centre.

‘Cork County Council, together with Bandon GAA, look forward to progressing this strategy to support accessibility, mobility and economic vitality in the heart of Bandon town,’ said a Council spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Bandon Business Association (BBA) will be holding a public meeting to discuss the parking strategy for the town at Bandon Town Hall on Tuesday March 10th at 7pm and are inviting all businesses to attend.