ILLEGALLY parked cars are blocking fire doors at the Dochas autism support office on Parnell Street in Limerick City.
The issue was highlighted at Monday’s Metropolitan District meeting by Fine Gael councillor Sarah Kiely who asked that double yellow lines be provided in the area.
She said that the lanes behind Parnell Street are used for days on end by people not willing to pay for parking and that fire exits were also being blocked daily.
“Some people are leaving cars there for days on end while they travel by train. Organisations like Dochas should be helped not hindered. The staff there have asked nicely on so many occasions.”
The City East representative went on to say that Dochas recently received grant funding to complete a substantial project and their manager had to go to the building at 5am to prevent people from parking against fire doors.
“This council overwhelmingly agreed to look at Limerick becoming an autism friendly city. You wouldn’t think that when we look at how Dochas were given the runaround over the last few years in response to their requests to have parking regulated at the back of the building,” she added.
“I have tried to resolve this with council staff to no avail. Questions were raised about the ownership of the lanes. I can assure you the council own that lane and I have documents to prove that with a map outlining that too.
“My ask is simple. Put down double yellows there to prevent this.”
Senior Executive Engineer Liam Browne said that while the lane is registered to the Limerick City and County Council, it is not a public road.
“In order to enforce double yellow lines along this laneway it must first be taken in charge as a public road. The Council will examine if this laneway is suitable for taking in charge,” Mr Browne said.
“This would be subject to a survey, availability of funding to remedy defects, advertisement of a notice of the intention of the Council to take in charge the laneway. It would also require formal consideration by councillors.”
