Fine Gael Cork South Central Deputy, Jerry Buttimer, has today (Thursday) said the news that Cork City Council will not renew its contract with the private clamping company, Apcoa, in January should come as welcome news to residents and city shoppers.
Deputy Buttimer went on to implore people not to take advantage of the new arrangement and to continue to adhere to parking restrictions and guidelines where they exist.
“The contract with the private clampers currently in operation in Cork will not be renewed next year, leaving Cork City Council to rely on traffic wardens to police parking activity and possible infringements. By all accounts, a number of clamping cases that were considered to be particularly severe were being reported, so there is little doubt that people who park in the city will welcome the news that Cork is to become a user-friendly parking zone. Furthermore, there was a perception that clamping was acting as a deterrent for those coming into the city to shop so this news will hopefully have added benefits for Cork city businesses.
“The revenue collected by the traffic warden from parking fines, will now go to the Council which will act as a boost to its coffers. It is regrettable, however, that there may be job losses as a result of the fact that the private contract is not being renewed.
“In the interest of ensuring the smooth flow of traffic and keeping restricted areas as they should be, I am asking motorists to keep each other, and indeed pedestrians, in mind when parking in a driver-friendly Cork in the future.”