Concerns over Marlinstown parking at busy times

Concerns about the manner in which motorists are parking at Marlinstown at busy times were aired by Cllr Andrew Duncan at September’s meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, as he called on the district to resolve the “ongoing problem”.

Cllr Duncan said that people stuck for somewhere to park their cars are “abandoning” them, which has been creating a hazard for people trying to come out from Marlinstown, and also some of those exiting from the N52 on to the Mullingar side.

In its written response, the district stated that they have contacted Marlinstown Industrial Estate Management and that the community wardens issued notices to the registered owners of the cars parked at this location.

In addition, the response continued, the district office had written to An Garda Síochána who have undertaken to patrol the location regularly. Signage and double yellow lines are also to be installed, and the community wardens are to continue to monitor this location.

Cllr Aoife Davitt supported Cllr Davitt but argued that parking restrictions alone would not solve the underlying problem. She pointed to wider traffic safety concerns around the Marlinstown roundabout and the nearby Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) facility.

“There have been a huge number of incidents there,” she said.

“People are entering and exiting the roundabout, others are coming from Lidl and LWETB, and at the same time there are vehicles parked along the roadside. There is a lot for drivers to process and it can be very dangerous.”

Cllr Davitt said recent parking management changes within the business park had reduced the number of available spaces for visitors and employees, resulting in motorists seeking alternative locations to park. She noted that some drivers are now parking on grass verges, creating further safety concerns.

“I think a conversation needs to be opened with the park owners or the landowners that actually own the Marlinstown Business Park, and something has to happen in relation to that because it’s just not sustainable what’s actually happening there at the minute,” she said.

District engineer Pat Kavanagh undertook to discuss the issue with the building owners.

Curraghmore Road

At the same meeting, Cllr Duncan asked that the Municipal District resurface the Curraghmore Road and he was informed that the work has been done.

Supported by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme