Free afternoon parking in Ballina council car parks

Mayo County Council has highlighted that free parking is available from 2 p.m. each day in its Ballina car parks up to the end of the month.

Declan Turnbull, head of Ballina Municipal District, told the December monthly meeting – held online today – that this has been the practice for a number of years to help shoppers, and the business community is supportive of it.

The free parking applies to the car parks only and not the on-street parking, Mr. Turnbull added.

The initiative is very welcome, said Councillor Annie May Reape, cathaoirleach of Ballina MD, with agreement from her fellow councillors.

It was noted, however, that there is reduced parking in the town centre now with the Military Barracks development and the construction of the Aldi supermarket, which eats into Diamond's Yard car park.

With the loss of parking spaces comes a reduction in income, and something would need to be done about that.

Councillor Jarlath Munnelly said Diamond's Yard has capacity for a number of developments and parking could be increased there through a multistorey unit.

Director of services Tom Gilligan said an overall parking strategy for the entire county will be looked at, starting next year. It will look at all aspects of travel, not just parking.

Meanwhile, Mr. Turnbull confirmed that e-parking is now operational in Ballina. “It's slowly taking off and I'd like to promote it as it makes things easier for people,” he said.