No appetite for more parking spaces in Kildare estates
Photo is for illustrative purposes only
Kildare County Council has cited climate goals amidst calls for a review of parking shortages in housing estates, with the local authority saying that more estate parking could come at the expense of green spaces.
Cllr Pat Balfe brought forward a motion at July’s full meeting of Kildare County Council calling on the local authority to look at housing estates that have been taken in charge by the local authority and identify locations where residents struggle to find parking. He wanted the council to examine if practical changes could be made to improve parking and accessibility.
Director of services Siobhán Scully issued the council’s written response, which stated that there are over 500 estates taken in charge in the county, built under various planning standards and requirement. As a result, carrying out a county-wide review would be a significant undertaking.
The executive response also pointed out that planning policy is moving away from providing large amounts of parking, particularly in areas close to town centres and public transport. The aim is to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport instead of relying on cars. This is in line with the Climate Action Plan 2023.
The response suggested that creating more parking spaces is not straightforward: "Any new parking spaces would probably have to be created by reducing green areas or open spaces within estates”.
Speaking at the meeting, cllr Balfe acknowledged that 500 taken in charge estates is “a lot” and recognised the need for climate action and sustainable transport measures. He noted, however, that he has heard of increasing tensions between neighbours in estates related to lack of parking space.
He said that he was not seeking to undermine council objectives in that regard, but rather to “acknowledge the reality facing many residents in some of our older estates where parking demand has changed significantly since those developments were originally designed”.
Cllr Balfe added that some residents are parking on the green spaces that the council is trying to protect.
Also speaking at the meeting, Ms Scully noted the conflict between the need for climate action and residents’ continued dependence on cars. Ms Scully added that the council can look at problem areas, a suggestion that cllr Balfe welcomed.
