The condition of disabled parking spaces, and their abuse by able-bodied drivers, have been causing concern of late and two local Councillors, Kevin Callan and Emma Cutlip, have raised the issue with Louth County Council.
Independent Councillor Kevin Callan has been campaigning to get disabled parking spaces across Drogheda repainted and installed at locations close to facilities such as pharmacies.
This work began after Cllr. Callan highlighted several cases where the paint the had totally worn away leaving them wide open for able-bodied drivers to use them thus leaving people who depended on them without access to services such as chemists.
“I requested the council to do an audit of the spaces in town and residential areas and it turned out that some had totally worn away. Others in residential areas were no longer needed as the residents no longer resided at the addresses.
“I am delighted with the most recent batch completed recently in the town centre area, these are much appreciated but we need to keep going and see the programme of work through to completion.”
Meanwhile it has been revealed to Councillor Emma Cutlip that less than half the fines issued to drivers in Drogheda in the past five years for parking in disabled parking spaces have been paid.
Of the 381 parking tickets issued to drivers parking in disabled parking bays without a permit in the years 2019 to 2023 just 176 were actually paid, another 30 were successfully appealed while another 174 had progressed to legal action or “out of state collection.”
Cllr. Cutlip was also told that there are currently 63 disabled parking bays in Drogheda, out of a total of 1,230 Pay and Display spaces which is a ratio of 1:19.
Drivers who are caught parking illegally in a disabled parking space are issued with a parking fine of €150 which increases to €225 if not paid within 28 days.
