Bandon Pay Parking - Some questions.

When writing this blog, I usually stay clear of 'politically charged' articles / events but in this case I believe an exception must be made.

Whether you're for or against the idea ..... and to be fair, I can understand where both sides are coming from; I think a lot more discussion is required before it is up and running.

I suggest that you read the questions with an open mind ... see where both sides (Bandon public & Cork County Council) are coming from. Definitely have a look at the links highlighted which detail archived material at the end of the piece..... at least have an informed opinion!

Bandon Action Programme: http://www.bandon.ie/blogspot/2008_09_01_archive.html

My piece will be mainly based on questions that have come up in conversations with fellow Bandonians over the last few days so I'm not taking responsibility if they hit a nerve or two!

Any suggested answers to the questions below can be emailed to visitbandon@gmail.com.

1. When exactly will the pay parking come in?
2. Do households or businesses or both get parking permits in the affected areas?
3. If I rent a house / apartment within the zoned areas ... am I entitled to get a permit?
4. If there is a delay with getting a permit and I have to pay for parking ... will I be reimbursed?
5. Will the proposed 30 minutes free time be permanent?
6. How much is expected to be raised per annum through parking fees?
7. How much of this is 'ring-fenced' for Bandon?
8. Is it true that more traffic inspectors are being hired to monitor the new system?
9. If yes .... how much will this take out of the proposed income?(Thus making it less cost-efficient?)
10. Will the system force more people to park in St Patrick's and the Riverview Shopping Centres' car parks?
11. If so, might they be forced to be stricter?
12. Could St Patick's be forced to stop parking altogether if religious services are affected?
13. Since the parking fees are already being described as a local tax, will businesses get a reduction in their rates charges?
14. If businesses note a very large decrease in sales ... could the system be abolished or at least put on hold until we get out of our recession?
15. The experts state that by introducing pay parking, more parking places will become available for the customer .... hence more sales and possibly more profits ......where can we find proof of this?
16. Is there a push factor to get in pay-parking so that it might be wothwhile for private enterprise to build a car park?
17. The previous Bandon Town Council voted to bring in pay parking, we're led to believe that the current Town Council is not in favour of it (by majority vote) ..... can the new Town Council reverse the decisions made by the previous Town Council?
18. If they do hold a vote at a local meeting ... will Cork County Council honour the decision made by the current members of the Town Council?

(N.B. The tender for the provision of the parking units can be seen by clicking on the following link: http://www.tendersdirect.co.uk/OurService/TenderView.aspx?ID=2359952 )

On that note ... some broader questions ....

1. What exact powers does the Town Council have?
2. It appears that they do not have the same powers of town councils such as in Cobh or Clonakilty... why don't they?
3. What has to happen for Bandon Town Council to have it's own powers similar to the above?
4. Could a study be done to examine what disadvantage (if any) it is for the town not to have a fully functional Town Council with real powers?
5. How much money is paid in rates to Cork County Council by businesses in the general Bandon area?
6. How much does Cork County Council spend on the general Bandon area?
7. If there is a surplus to the Cork County Council .... how big a surplus has there been over the last 15 to 20 years?

In a time where people are losing jobs, those in employment are facing the threat of losing theirs while almost everyone is facing either a pay cut and / or an increase in income levies or pension levies .... include with this the imminent increases in bank interest rates as well as the increase in fuel costs ... Is this not another tax by stealth?

For people who live c.5 to 15 miles away ..... wil they choose to do their trade in towns that do not have pay parking? How can this be measured?

Here are some archived articles detailing both the concept of the creation of the Bandon Action Programme and also some of the proposals:

http://www.bandon.ie/blogspot/2008/03/hiring-of-consultants-for-bandon-area.html

Before you start to completely get annoyed with Cork County Council ... check out some of the suggestions that have been made to create a new and better Bandon. This obviously costs money and it could be argued that a small spend today will make the town more attaractive to the public and trade.

Bandon Action Programme: http://www.bandon.ie/blogspot/2008_09_01_archive.html

Many of the proposals mentioned would make a very positive contribution to life in Bandon.

Last weeks Southern Star had a lot of information about the issue ... no doubt the July Opinion will also have it in detail .... as I stated before .... get an educated opinion about the issue ... find out the facts .... forget about hearsay and rumours and only consider what you know is factually correct!

After that, the choice is yours!