Sir, - I refer to the proposal to introduce a restricted parking scheme for Bray, which came into effect yesterday and wish to express my annoyance at what has been proposed.
I am a daily commuter between Bray and the centre of Dublin. Due to the lack of adequate parking facilities, I am forced to park my car in the residential streets close to Bray train station. By providing for a two hour restriction (except in very limited areas) on parking in the streets around the station, Bray UDC is effectively banning parking by commuters, without providing any alternative facilities. While I appreciate that there is a problem with commuter parking in Bray, and understand fully the concerns of local residents, it is the responsibility of Bray UDC and Iarnrod Eireann (who, after all, earn a significant amount in fares from DART commuters) to provide parking facilities.
While (obviously more progressive) local authorities in other countries are providing extensive "Park and Ride" facilities for commuters, Bray UDC seems intent on forcing people to drive to work, or use more northerly stations such as Killiney or Dalkey. This is bound to exacerbate the already quite appalling rush hour traffic problems in Bray and south County Dublin and is in direct contravention of the recommendations of the Dublin Transportation Initiative, which recommended that "Park and Ride" facilities be provided at transportation hubs in Dublin and surrounding areas. Bray station must surely be regarded as such a hub, given that it is used by commuters from outlying towns and rural areas in north Wicklow. By taking this draconian action, Bray UDC is abdicating its responsibilities to the residents of Bray the surrounding areas and south county Dublin, which will have to deal with an influx of unnecessary extra traffic.
I hope that when this crazy scheme is reviewed, sense will prevail and the highly taxed users of Bray DART station who, after all, are merely trying to travel (often against the odds) to their place of work, shall be provided with proper free parking facilities. - Yours etc
Newcourt Road
Bray
Co. Wicklow