Traffic wardens in Letterkenny have been accused of “doing more harm than good”, after some encounters with the public were described as “nothing short of a disgrace”.
Two councillors in Letterkenny have called for a more common-sense approach to parking enforcement as the council prepares to begin public consultation on new parking by-laws.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Ciaran Brogan claims many businesses and members of the public are now viewing parking wardens negatively.
“When the traffic wardens were brought in by the old Urban Council, it was more about managing traffic flow and making sure people did their shopping in a timely manner. They were ambassadors for the town,” he said.
“The general feel now is that traffic wardens are spending more time putting tickets on cars and doing more harm than good.
“The public is somewhat annoyed.”
Cllr Brogan wants the council to have a workshop on the issue and develop a roadmap for both the parking by-laws and future parking management before the busy Christmas trading period.
“We need to be working closer together to send out a proper message that the traffic wardens are there to assist the public,” he said.
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Cllr Brogan’s party colleague Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly strongly supported the motion.
“I have been contacted on several occasions in relation to the way people in Letterkenny, visitors and businesses alike, are being treated by traffic wardens and it’s nothing short of a disgrace,” he said.
He gave a report of one incident involving a woman with a newborn baby who mistakenly believed she was entitled to 30 minutes of free parking in an area of the town.
According to Cllr Kelly, she had been parked for just 16 minutes when she received a ticket.
“The manner in which the warden was talking to her was shocking,” he said, adding that two taxi drivers reportedly came over to check if the woman was alright.
Cllr Kelly said the woman later appealed the fine but the appeal was rejected.
“There needs to be more of a common-sense approach,” he said.
“It is high time there was action taken, not just a review of the by-laws but of the role of traffic wardens.”
Senior Roads Engineer David McIlwaine said he could not comment on individual cases but agreed to pass on members’ comments to the parking section.
“The traffic warden role is a difficult role and that needs to be recognised,” he said.
In response, Cllr Brogan questioned whether wardens were simply following instructions.
“We need to have a conversation about the behaviour of wardens. Is it the instructions they are being given? Because if it is, it’s the wrong instruction.”
Proposals for the public consultation on the new parking by-laws were presented to the meeting, with members asked to approve the consultation process.