THE people of Bandon are being urged to have their say on new draft bye-laws for four council-owned car parks in Bandon which would see the introduction of new time-limits.

The call was made at a very well-attended public meeting organised by Bandon Business Association (BBA) in the Town Hall last week which discussed the parking strategy.

Several attendees at the meeting spoke about the need for a long-term car park in the town centre which would facilitate people working in businesses in the town.

They said that the introduction of 28 new car parking spaces at Bandon GAA grounds by Cork County Council in a new free pilot long-stay initiative is just too far from the town centre. It was also noted that there has been little uptake from people to park there since it was opened last month.

Council officials have said that the draft bye-laws if passed would enhance accessibility and support greater movement throughout Bandon’s commercial centre.

The four car parks are located at Ballymodan Place, Brady’s Lane, Glasslyn Road and Mill Place.

Speaking to The Southern Star after the meeting, Hilary O’Farrell of BBA said they are asking all people in the town and not just workers or business owners to make their own submissions on the draft bye-laws before April 15th.

‘We have always maintained that Bandon needs a long-term car park within 400 metres of the town centre. We are now asking Cork County Council to fulfil the promise that they made before the Bandon TPREP (Transportation Public Realm Enhancement Project) works commenced,’ she said.

While acknowledging the great work and investment that has already been completed in the town Hilary said there has to be something to replace the 70 car park spaces removed as part of TPREP.

‘We don’t think the pilot parking scheme with 28 car spaces at the GAA grounds is sufficient and the new bye-laws would see people having to move their cars from the four other car parks after three hours and where would they go?’

She said as the biggest town in West Cork with a population of almost 10,000 people they are trying to change the mindset and attract people into the town to shop and eat.

‘But then we could be saying you can only park there for three hours. We are asking for more balance and more spaces for long term parking and we need the people of Bandon to make their voices heard about these draft bye-laws.’

Speaking after the meeting, Independent Cllr Alan Coleman said that people want a car park close to the town centre and added that a phased introduction of time limits at perhaps two of the four proposed car parks as part of the proposed bye-laws would give the council enough time to see if it works.

The closing date for submissions on the proposed byelaws is April 15th and members of the public wishing to make a submission can do so in writing to Bandon Kinsale Municipal District Office.