Keith Martin, Independent Candidate for Westport Town Council has called for the abolition of car parking charges in Westport’s Car Parks. He is also calling for an increase in the amount of on-street parking and the provision of a shuttle bus service for the Quay and outlying estates to combat traffic congestion.

Keith Martin says “Westport’s residents and those who come to Westport to shop, eat or stay deserve to park for free. I believe that car parking charges turn people away. I believe that we saw this last Christmas when droves of people left Westport to shop in Castlebar, where they could park for free.

In short I believe that reduced parking spaces and charging for car parks is diverting money away from the town. This is of serious concern to our businessmen, people of the town and those who travel into Westport for their shopping.

I believe that the heart of any town is its commerce, its shops, pubs, hotels and restaurants and that without these Westport would die. I believe that car park charges and the reduction of on-street parking, particularly on Bridge Street, pose a grave risk to the future propriety of our Town.”

Keith Martin says he aims to dismantle the car park fees in favour of a form of free car parking for those spending their hard earned money into Westport.

Keith Martin continues “The current parking plan is driving people to park further out from the town centre and this is already a problem in the Crescent and in front of the Library and Health centre were people are taking up needed spaces to park their cars while they shop.

Unchecked we can expect to see this spread to estates further up the Newport road and other areas of the town. Worse again the current plan is driving people to Castlebar where they park for free, shop and leave their money. This takes income out of our town and puts businesses and jobs at risk. If we don't act now we will see Bridge Street decline as a shopping area.”

Keith Martin would also like to see proposals for the reduction of on-street car parking spaces shelved. Keith Martin adds “Westport needs more car parking spaces not less. The idea of trees through the town is a lovely one but not practical. Big trees on Bridge Street disrupt the look of the street and reduce the amount of light into ground and first floor windows which is to the detriment of resident and businessman alike.

There is also the problem of birds in the trees. We are all too aware of the problem posed by birds and their droppings. This is already a big problem on the mall particularly in front of the church. “No one wants to get caught under those trees when a car backfires!”

Keith Martin would prefer to see parking made free and limited to 2 or 3 hours duration. This would help ensure that the parking spaces turn over regularly.

“It particularly galling to those of who recall that paying for parking was introduced as a “temporary measure” for the summer in 2000 and then suddenly it was kept on.

It is even more annoying when you recall that the Mill Street car park was for years a free car park. Paying for parking is just an indirect tax on the people of Westport.

There is a problem with car congestion in Westport but charging people for parking is not the solution. The solution is to provide a cheap shuttle bus service to through the town from the Quay to the Newport Road, out the Ballinrobe and Castlebar roads. This would allow people to do their shopping and take it home with them without having to bring the car into the town centre. This should be a priority for the Town Council.”