Cork County Council has ‘no plans to suspend parking charges in council-operated car parks,’ a spokesperson told The Avondhu this week.
This position was maintained despite the introduction of nationwide restrictions which have largely resulted in only essential workers or people carrying out necessary shopping, etc., continuing to drive.
These restrictions, the toughest yet, came into force at midnight on Friday last to curtail the spread of Covid-19. Non-essential workers were instructed to remain at home and to conduct their work from there, where possible.
However, for the remaining people still travelling to work, whether in grocery stores, or in doctor’s surgeries, there is still a requirement to park their vehicles, and it appears that they must also continue to pay for this parking in many circumstances.
This means that for many workers in Fermoy, for example, who park their cars in the Library car park or the Mill Island car park, the standard parking fares continue to apply.
Ticket Machines
While the daily fare in these two car parks is just €1, questions of hygiene could be asked concerning the use of ticket machines which are coin operated.
Additionally, many shops are now asking patrons to use contactless payment, and where possible, to reduce the coinage in circulation, adding another layer of difficulty to paying for parking.
Despite this, Cork County Council is not considering a suspension of charges ‘at present’.
