Car parking crisis at Drogheda Rail Station leading to huge year-on-year increase in vehicles being clamped says Nash
Louth Labour TD, Ged Nash says that a capacity crisis at the car parking facilities at McBride Rail Station in Drogheda has resulted in an exponential rise in clamping at station.
“Parking at Drogheda Train station is bursting at the seams, and Irish Rail must come up with a creative solution to avoid the growing number of cars being clamped at the station, year on year.
“As a result of replies to Parliamentary Questions it’s clear that clamping at McBride Station in Drogheda is on the rise.
“In 2023, just six cars were clamped at the station but last year, a staggering 98 motorists suffered the same fate with 55 already clamped, this year.”
The Louth Labour TD added: “It’s no coincidence that the rise in clamping at the station is being seen side by side with pressure on capacity, and the reopening of the car park at Marsh Road will help.
“I have had numerous representations to my office from constituents complaining that car parking at the station is impossible to get beyond 7am on a working morning.
“Commuters who arrive at the station to see it full to capacity are being faced with a choice of parking illegally or skipping the train to drive to work or just drive back home again. This isn’t a problem anyone should have to face.
Deputy Nash said: “When I met with the Irish Rail CEO, Mary Considine, last month, she informed me that a review of parking at a number of stations – including Drogheda and Dundalk – is underway and the outcome of that review is expected shortly. The sooner we see the results of that review, the better.
“There is at least some extra capacity now at Marsh Road but a creative solution has to be found at the station and perhaps, a multi-storey option, through a possible public-private partnership will need to be explored to maximise the space available. Also, enhanced public transport options from other areas across the town and surrounds needs to be looked at.”
He concluded: “We need to encourage use of public transport and not put barriers in the way of commuters. I hope that Irish Rail, in concert with NTA will put forward a creative solution to the parking capacity issues at the station, sooner rather than later.”
