Opposition to call for emergency bye-laws to prohibit overnight parking at Keem Bay

A national organisation involved in the promotion of camping and motor-homing as a pastime in Ireland is opposing a call for emergency bye-laws to be put in place to prohibit overnight parking at Keem Bay in Achill.

The appeal for the bye-laws had been made by local Councillor Paul McNamara following two weekends in which the road to the beach had to be closed to traffic by gardaí due to health and safety concerns.

Now Colin McCarthy, secretary of The Phoenix Motorhome Club Ireland, has moved to point out that vehicles parked overnight are not the cause of the traffic congestion experienced in recent times.

In an email to Councillor McNamara, copied to The Connaught Telegraph, he stated: "That traffic congestion is simply the result of the volume of vehicles travelling to and from Keem Bay during the day, at night the area is relatively traffic-free.

"It is therefore difficult to make the link between overnight parking and daytime traffic congestion.

“As regards vehicles being parked overnight at Keem Bay, a number of our members have in the past parked there overnight and enjoyed the peace and tranquillity of the area.

“Those members have mentioned that when the day-trippers have left the area there is plenty of unused parking space so no issue there.

“We would emphasise that our members' motorhomes, being vehicles of the same legal category as cars, are legally entitled to park at any place where it is legal to park a car.

“Given the explosive growth in motorhome-based tourism perhaps you would encourage Mayo County Council to provide adequate overnight parking areas for the sector, as is currently happening elsewhere.

“This club has wide-ranging experience in the selection and management of places suitable for overnight parking and the provision of service bays, we would be delighted to volunteer our advice if asked.”