Council to examine provision of age friendly spaces on pilot basis

By David Flynn

Roscommon County Council will examine the merit of providing age-friendly parking spaces at strategic town locations on a pilot basis.

The Council executive were responding to a motion raised by Cathaoirleach Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice at the April meeting of the local authority, at which he called for the introduction of a self-regulated car parking pilot scheme to assist those with limited mobility issues access spaces close to essential day-to-day services.

The Cathaoirleach expressed his concern that disability car parking spaces in the county were limited and often far away from necessary services due to regulations in place.

Cllr Fitzmaurice was informed by the executive that disabled car parking spaces were provided in County Roscommon towns with adequate road space available, designed to a specific standard, and covered by legislation.

Roscommon County Council also confirmed to the Cathaoirleach that it was not in a position to provide alternative limited mobility car parking spaces covered by similar legislation but would examine the merit of providing additional age-friendly parking spaces on a pilot basis.

His motion received support from Cllr John Keogh, who referenced the Council executive's response to the Cathaoirleach saying it would examine the merit of providing age-friendly parking spaces on a pilot basis.

“I welcome what the council are saying about providing age-friendly parking spaces on a pilot basis.

“If the Council is looking to put in age-friendly parking spaces, perhaps the location would be where people would be seeking to access services such as doctors and pharmacies. Maybe a compromise could be achieved to get access, with a set down area, close to the services," Cllr Keogh said.

Cllr Fitzmaurice said he had no issue with age-friendly spaces but his motion was more about mobility rather than age.

“I’ve no issue with age friendly spaces, but that wouldn’t cater for people with a severe mobility issue,” he said.

Cllr Keogh said he agreed that wheelchair spaces are not suitable for those with motorised wheelchairs, Athlone Access Awareness having raised this issue with him.

“Maybe there is a compromise to be reached for not only the development of spaces for access to those facilities for wheelchair users and for older people who are not in a wheelchair to access the facilities,” he said.

Independent Cllr Tony Ward also agreed with the motion, saying there should be more spaces provided as in some cases it can be too restrictive for people who are wheelchair users to have to navigate opening doors and putting down ramps.

“It’s shocking to see able bodied people parking in those spaces and if you point it out to some of them they are not too friendly. I was recently told to mind my own business.

“Wheelchair accessible spaces are too tight. It’s a very good motion, and we need to look after people less fortunate than ourselves," Fine Gael’s Cllr. Domnick Connolly said.

The Cathaoirleach thanked the members for their support, but added that he was disappointed with the Council’s answer.

“It’s not a big job to do it,” Cllr Fitzmaurice said.

The Director of Roads, Mark Keaveney, said age-friendly spaces are not just for elderly, but are equally valid for those who can’t walk far,

The Director noted that such car parking spaces were the same size as standard spaces and can be fitted at more locations rather than disabled parking spaces which are much larger and difficult to fit in tight town spaces.

However, the Cathaoirleach said he wasn’t going to let the issue go and it was agreed that a letter would be sent to the Minister for Disabilities, which was seconded by Cllr. Keogh.