Council may end all free parking in Dublin city centre

ALL FREE on-street parking in Dublin city centre and inner suburbs is set to be eliminated under new plans by Dublin City Council.

Until now residents could chose whether their street would be subject to parking charges though a local vote. However, under new proposals from the city’s traffic department the council would “impose” disc parking in certain areas.

The proposals, which will be presented to city councillors this week, would also see the elimination of any free or uncontrolled parking spaces still available on side streets in the city centre.

The area selected for total parking control by the council includes all streets between the Royal Canal on the north side of the city and the Grand Canal on the south side, as well as “adjacent areas” as yet to be defined by the council.

The council currently has 33,000 controlled pay-and-display parking spaces and 1,200 parking ticket machines governed by six prices depending on proximity to the city centre.

It also issues 18,200 parking permits to residents who live in streets where paid parking has been chosen by a plebiscite. Residents usually opt for parking controls on their street when there is no off-street parking or where there is fierce competition for spaces due to proximity to the city centre or to transport links.

The new proposals would mean that residents living close to the city centre who have not chosen paid parking would have it imposed upon them. The council could also select areas close to the canals, in parts of suburbs such as Glasnevin and Harold’s Cross, which they believe are in need of parking controls.

In the report the traffic department stresses that it is the policy of the council to discourage commuter parking and ensure adequate but not excessive parking provision for short-term shopping and leisure use.

The income to the council from paid parking has fallen in recent years from €28.6 million in 2008 to €26.8 million in 2009 and just over €25 million last year.

While there are few remaining free parking spaces in the central area, regular commuters would often be aware of “hidden” free spaces in little-used side streets and their complete elimination should help boost revenues.

However, it is the imposition of parking controls in residential areas which is more likely help the city’s parking income recover.

Currently residents’ parking permits cost €40 for one year or €70 for two years. In addition to the revenue from residents, any non-residents would have buy a pay-and-display parking ticket to park in a street that acquires parking controls.

In May 2009 the council introduced an electronic parking-tag system to allow motorists with a credit or debit card to pay for parking by phone call or text message. Last Christmas the council ran an eight-week, half-price parking promotion for motorists using the tag system.

Before the promotion weekly parking tag revenues were an average of €39,784; following the promotion, weekly revenues rose to €50,560. The traffic department said it intended to introduce new tag promotions this year, along with the elimination of free spaces.

The cost of parking enforcement, operated by Dublin Street Parking Services, was €9.2 million in 2010, with income from fines, clamping, etc, at €4.5 million.