Notice of motion calling on Roscommon County Council to introduce a pilot scheme of self-regulating limited mobility parking spaces in towns around our County in strategic places to help people with limited mobility to access shops/ doctors surgeries/ chemistry shops/ care facilities etc. Current disability spaces are limited and sometimes far away from necessary services due to regulations. 

“Notice of Motion calling on Roscommon County Council to introduce a pilot scheme of self-regulating limited mobility parking spaces in Towns around our County in strategic places to helped people with limited mobility to access shops/ doctors surgeries/ chemistry shops/ care facilities etc. Current disability spaces are limited and sometimes far away from necessary services due to regulations.”

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

Disabled car parking spaces are provided in the towns in County Roscommon where adequate road space is available. These are designed to a specific standard in accordance with DMURS and the Traffic Signs Manual and are covered by relevant legislation. Roscommon County Council is not in a position to provide alternative limited mobility car parking spaces that are not covered by similar legislation but is open to providing extra disabled spaces in towns should there be a requirement for same.

The Council will examine the merit of providing “Age Friendly” parking spaces, perhaps on a pilot basis, as outlined in the Age Friendly Ireland National Age Friendly Parking Space Guide.

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fitzmaurice stated that he was not happy with the Council’s reply. He advised that he had been approached by a number of groups on this issue and as a former shop keeper, has witnessed the struggles of people with limited mobility if there is no parking in strategic places. He likened the proposed initiative to the 1-hour parking initiative that was introduced in recent years and said that initiative faced similar challenges when first proposed, however has been a success since introduced. Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fitzmaurice said that Roscommon, as a county, has one of the oldest populations in the country and questioned if the motion was fully understood.

Members supported the Cathaoirleach’s motion and discussed the following:

• Disappointment at the reply and highlighted the need for such an initiative to support people with limited mobility and promote independence.
• Suggestion to change wheelchair parking spaces to mobility friendly spaces in places where wheelchair spaces are plentiful.
• It was discussed that people with certain disabilities cannot use wheelchair spaces or standard spaces and that vehicles that have been adapted often cannot fit in those spaces.
• Call for an accessibility report to be carried out for towns in the County.
• DMURS standards not suitable in every case.
• Reference made to difficulties to regulate spaces such as family spaces at supermarkets.
• Calls to pilot the scheme and review the outcomes.
• Issues discussed with regards the parking permits for existing wheelchair spaces and the current criteria needing to be reviewed to extend to people with limited mobility.

The Cathaoirleach thanked the Members for their support and ensured them he would continue to raise the issue.

Director of Services, Mark Keaveney clarified that the response from the Council was not aimed to frustrate the provision of spaces but outlined that more can be added if it is assessed that there is a need to. In relation to the limited mobility parking spaces, there is no national standard at which they can be provided to. He advised that the nearest national standard model is the Age Friendly parking spaces. He outlined that Age Friendly spaces are not solely for elderly people but are equally valid for people who are unable to walk far distances. He mentioned that Age Friendly spaces are roughly the same size as standard parking spaces which can be easier than wheelchair parking spaces to fit into current town landscapes.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

            SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED to write to the Minister of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration ad Youth to raise the issue of the need for self-regulating limited mobility parking spaces in towns around our County in strategic places to help people with limited mobility to access shops, doctors surgeries and other essential retail and care services.