Call for Cork County Council to tackle rogue HGV drivers parking in villages

Cork County Council solicitors are being asked to examine what legislation could be used to prevent rogue HGV drivers from parking vehicles for days at a time in villages and creating road safety hazards.

While several villages face similar issues, a particular problem has been highlighted in Rathcormac, near Fermoy.

Independent councillor William O’Leary, who lives in the village, said residents are “sick of it” and claimed that “some haulage companies are using the village as their own personal parking areas”.

“We’ve tried to engage with them, but we’re not getting much positive feedback. People have had enough of it. Maybe it’s the location of the place as it’s just off the M8,” Mr O’Leary added.

He said prolonged parking of such vehicles is creating significant safety concerns because motorists cannot see pedestrians crossing from behind them due to views being obstructed by the lorries.

Mr O’Leary asked officials attending a meeting of Fermoy Municipal District Council to address the issue. He said that while the council could use footpath build-outs to prevent lorries from parking on hard shoulders, such measures would be costly.

Introducing by-laws

Instead, he suggested introducing by-laws to tackle what he described as a growing problem in villages across the region.

Mr O’Leary, who works for a haulage company, said he had contacted gardaí at the request of residents and was told the matter fell within the council’s remit.

“We’ve buses and lorries parking for days on end and creating an unsafe environment. This issue has been raised by locals a number of times. All village and towns need bylaws for this. We have to stop it,” Aontu councillor Peter O’Donoghue said.

Council engineers acknowledged there was a problem.

They said they would consult with the county solicitor’s office and the council’s roads directorate in an effort to identify a solution.

Potential dangers

Meanwhile, concerns were also raised about motorists repeatedly parking in a designated school pick-up and drop-off area in the nearby village of Ballyhooly, creating potential dangers for children travelling to and from the local national school.

Fianna Fáil councillor Frank O’Flynn said the school bus driver had reported being unable to park in the designated area on an almost daily basis and that parents, teachers and school staff were concerned about children's safety.

Mr O’Flynn said there were inherent dangers because the busy N72 passes directly by the school.

“People should act properly and respect others who are more vulnerable,” Municipal District Council chairwoman, Fine Gael councillor Kay Dawson, said.

Council engineers said they had referred the matter to the National Roads Design Office (NRDO) for review.