Council U-turn on free Xmas parking in Athy

Well, we may have got it wrong by a day, but our prediction last week of free afternoon parking for Athy for Christmas is now officially confirmed, and in place from 10 December until 3 January.

This is despite an official denial of such a possibility that came in to us on Monday at 4.35pm, too late for publication the following day.

Having submitted the question to the County Council a few days earlier as to the possibility of free parking in the town, the formal reply said: “the concept of ‘free parking’ is not consistent with Kildare County Council’s policies”.

“It has in recent years, led to the contrary effect by promoting all-day parking in the town centre, rather than a turnover of parking spaces that would increase the number of shoppers visiting Athy”.

The spokesperson reminded our readers that parking charges in Athy are the lowest in the county ranging from 60 cent per hour to €2.50 for all-day parking in long-term car parks, before concluding with: “Kildare County Council does not intend to waive parking charges in Athy in the lead up to Christmas”.

Well, within 24 hours, and following a special meeting of the Athy Municipal District councillors on Tuesday morning, the Executive reluctantly agreed to the concept , and confirmed it in an email to the Kildare Nationalist.

“Today the members have agreed that parking in the following Kildare County Council car parks will be free from 14:00 to 18:00 daily commencing on Tuesday, 10 December 2024 and ending at 8:30am on Friday, 3 January 2025,” the council spokesperson confirmed.

The seven car parks in Athy are: Edmund Square, Back Square, Meeting Lane, Church Road, Catherine McCauley car park, Barrow View, and Augustus Bridge.

“Yeah, I know I said Monday, but there was a statutory process to go through, and it was unanimous amongst the councillors,” confirmed Cllr Aoife Breslin.

“I am happy with this, she added.

Your reporter mentioned that there was a similar announcement concerning a number of Council-owned Naas car parks, and Cllr Breslin smiled.

“I know! I think we started something!”