New parking zones for traffic-choked Cork town 

A new parking plan for Carrigaline town centre comes into effect tomorrow.

From Tuesday, parking in the town will be separated into three zones.

One-hour parking only will be permitted in so-called ‘Green Zones’ on the Main Street and lower Kilmoney Road, which are intended as high turnover areas for visits to local businesses.

Two-hour parking will be permitted in ‘Blue Zones’, which include the area at the front of the Owenabue car park, while people who are looking to park for more than two hours are being asked to use a newly constructed ‘Red Zone’ to the rear of the car park.

Fine Gael councillor Liam O’Connor said that the changes will free up car spaces in the centre of the town and will mean businesses will be able to benefit from more passing trade.

“We see that a lot of people parking at the front of the Owenabue car park, for example, actually use the bus to get to work and might not return until 5pm,” he said. 

“These spaces then are of no use to local businesses.”

The new parking zones will be monitored by a new traffic warden, who Mr O’Connor said will be able to assist people. He said that there are no plans to introduce paid parking in the town.

The changes are being introduced as part of the Project ACT (Activating County Towns) initiative which was established to help rebuild the economy and community life in 23 Cork towns in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A number of public realm improvements have also been implemented in the town.

“Five car parking spaces were removed outside the Bean and Leaf café in the Owenabue car park to create additional seating outside. Most days, this area is full. It is a great social area,” said Mr O’Connor.

Car parking spaces have also been removed to allow for additional seating outside the Carpe Diem café and to facilitate the development of a parklet in the car park with public seating and picnic benches. 

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