Councillors dither over making ban permanent
The question of whether or not cars should be allowed on Bettystown beach has still not finally been put to bed.
Councillor Sharon Tolan has been campaigning for years to have cars banned from the beach but at yesterday evening’s meeting Councillors agreed an amendment from Councillor Tom Behan to extend the temporary ban for another six months.
Councillor Tolan released a video on social media after the meeting in which she voices her disappointment that once again the issue has been kicked down the road.
Obviously upset by the vote, Councillor Tolan promises however that she will be back in six months’ time with another proposal so that “we will never go back to allowing cars on our beaches…
The comments on Councillor Tolan’s Facebook and Twitter posts were overwhelmingly positive with most pointing out that at least we shall have no cars on the beach this summer.
Others pointed out that the delay in declaring a permanent ban on cars at the beach gives the Council more time to find a solution to the serious and undeniable parking problem in Bettystown.
Fianna Fail Councillor Stephen McKee welcomed the decision to extend the car-ban on Meath beaches for the next 6 months with a view to then make the ban permanent later in the year.
“I am pleased that our beaches will remain car-free over the Summer months with the exception of those with disabilities and the elderly who will still be able to park on the beach” he said.
“Every effort must now be made to expedite the provision of alternative parking in Bettystown and Mornington. When the parking solutions are in place, the permanent car ban will come into effect. This is the most sensible approach.
‘There is no doubt that the car-free beach has enhanced the beach environment in Bettystown and made it much safer for children… I am supportive of a car-free beach. The future of the beach is most definitely car-free and so it should be.
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“Those who have a disability and the elderly should be allowed to park on the beach in a properly regulated and safe way and on an appropriately sized section that is managed. The current arrangement is not working and is not adequate to meet those needs.”
“… An improved beach environment free of cars should benefit everybody including those with disabilities, our senior citizens, local business and with strong community engagement, there are real opportunities to maximise the huge potential of our beautiful Meath coastline.
“Simply banning cars and not doing anything else however is merely transferring the problem somewhere else; like along the Golf Links Road or on Crook Road, Mornington where on busy Summer days last year, cars were parked anywhere and everywhere and blocking people’s homes.
“This has to end and I look forward to a resolution to these issues in the very near future” concluded McKee.
