A local Councillor is calling on Donegal County Council to immediately suspend parking charges until the end of 2020 to encourage people to shop local during Covid-19.
Donegal MD Cllr Michael Naughton said “it is only right” that parking fees are paused to support small businesses.
The call comes as traffic wardens get back on the beat in towns around Donegal today (Monday). The enforcement of Pay and Display offences will remain suspended during an initial transition period from the 18th of May to the 7th of June. During this period, wardens will concentrate on the enforcement of Road Traffic Offences i.e. illegal parking on disabled bays, double yellow lines, loading bays and on footpaths.
Cllr Naughton said the current difficult times should warrant a complete suspension of parking charges “as a mark of support and a gesture for all our small businesses, tourism providers and visitors”.
In particular, Cllr Naughton said that Donegal Town and Bundoran both depend on tourism, but the season will practically over before the majority of tourism businesses can reopen.
“The next few months will be vital for our small businesses to get all the support and help that we as a Council can give to make sure the survival of these businesses and for employment in the local area,” Cllr Naughton said.
“These businesses are the backbone of our towns and communities and is it vital that they are protected into the future.”