Residents protest proposed charges and barriers for Blanchardstown Centre car parks
Eva Osborne
Residents are protesting against an application by the owners of Blanchardstown Centre to introduce charges and barriers on its 7,000 car parking spaces.
A first protest was staged in the Centre on Saturday, and a bigger one is planned for Saturday, December 6th.
Solidarity TD for Dublin West, Ruth Coppinger, said she has objected with Fingal Council to the planning application for barriers and is helping workers and the community to organise against “being fleeced in a cost of living crisis”.
“Toll parking would also only increase online shopping and exacerbate shop closures and job losses in the Centre”, she said.
“Toll barriers would lead to more congestion in and around the Centre; more delays to already bogged-down public transport, most of which goes through the Centre; and overflow parking in neighbouring estates like Whitestown, Sheepmoor, Hillbrook Woods etc.
“These charges are being proposed by a huge international investment fund, SVP, who’ve bought the Centre and will squeeze for profit the retail workers, shoppers and local community who use key public facilities at the Centre.
“It is particularly scandalous that key resources such as the Library, Post Office, Draoícht, credit union, banking, medical facilities and Fingal Council offices would be accessible at a cost for all, but especially older and disabled people who may be reliant on car use.
“The Centre’s retail workers are not well paid, already suffering the cost of living crisis and will now be penalised further by a wealthy corporation. Liffey Valley workers can pay up to €600 per year.
“The plan would also fell nearly 500 mature trees and erect large LED signage, damaging the environment and biodiversity.
“A protest will be held in the Centre on Saturday 6 December at 1pm, one of the busiest shopping days of the year to send a message to Centre management that we won’t accept this profit-grab and enclosure of an open community resource.”
