“It’s a new day, it’s a new dawn, and it’s been 588 days since vehicles were banned from our beaches in Meath” says Tolan.
A motion from Fine Gael councillor Sharon Tolan for a permanent ban on parking cars on the beach at Bettystown Beach was passed by a large majority of Councillors at a meeting of Meath County Council yesterday.
The beach was closed to cars in March last year after huge crowds had taken to the beach during lockdown.
Many locals had protested at the number of cars on the beach and signed an online petition asking that the ban be made a permanent fixture.
Others however wanted the beach to remain open for parking and voiced concerns that the ban would have a negative impact on local businesses.
Alternative car parking arrangements were provided at the Colaiste na hInse campus and at the rear of the McCormick’s Amusements.
A Special Policy Committee of Meath County Council decided to retain the ban on parking on the beaches this summer and now it has been made permanent.
There is no doubt however that there remains a lack of parking in the coastal district where, on sunny weekends, cars can be seen abandoned along roadsides in nearby housing estates and anywhere a car can fit.
The Council has installed double yellow lines along the Golf Links Road which has had the effect of drivers parking in the Tower Road at Mornington which has often been blocked.
In a Facebook post last night Councillor Sharon Tolan, who has been championing the cause of having cars banned from the beach from the outset, said:
“It’s a new day, it’s a new dawn, and it’s been 588 days since vehicles were banned from our beaches in Meath. Today, Councillors voted overwhelmingly to make that ban permanent! Car Free Forever!”
“Thank you all for your support in securing this for all visitors to our beaches!”
Councillor Tolan’s notice of motion received 27 votes in favour and just three against. Two councillors abstained and eight were absent.
