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I note that Mr Hogan states that the system worked well, ‘initially’. However, he feels that problems have arisen where residents can gain additional personal parking by utilising existing driveways or by developing new driveways to their homes. Persons with driveways have always had an additional benefit with regard to parking options as against other residents without driveways and the introduction of parking controls on a street where some houses have driveways and others do not, does not alter this advantage. The Council’s parking policy can, of course, only apply to on-street parking. However, it would be invidious for the Council to discriminate in any way against residents in a particular area on the basis that their houses were provided with driveways. Decisions on applications for permission for the development of new driveways are made in accordance with the provisions of the City Development Plan. It is Council policy to facilitate development where such development does not conflict with the Development Plan or otherwise prove injurious to the amenity or the neighbourhood. The City Council will introduce paid parking controls in residential areas only where this is the express wish of the majority of the residents or the street in question as determined by ballot. If a majority of residents living in a street where there is a currently existing paid parking scheme request its removal the council will facilitate this as well. With regard to the review of tariffs in the Parking Control Bye Laws, the position is that the draft parking control bye-laws provide for the following adjustments to parking tariffs: It is also proposed to abolish the distinction between persons who held residents’ parking permits on 31st March 2004 and newer permit holders. A new standard householders’ permit tariff structure is proposed as follows: 1 Year Permit €40; 2 Year Permit €70. This would represent a small increase in the current tariff for ‘Long Term’ residents which is €35 for one year permit and €65 for a two year permit and a substantial reduction in tariff for ‘new’ residents for €70 to €130 respectively. This is the first adjustment in the residents’ permit tariff since April 2004. In short, modest tariff increases are proposed for pay & display parking in areas of high demand in the city and for long-term residents’ permits, while newer residential permit holders will find their tariffs significantly reduced. A public consultations process with regard to the draft bye-laws was undertaken during March/April 2007. The draft bye-laws will be presented to the City Council at its June meeting and, if adopted, will come into effect on 1st of August 2007. The primary purpose of reviewing tariffs for on-street parking is to ensure these charges remain effective as a mechanism for demand control. Revenue received from on-street parking charges is utilised to improve the road network and traffic management function within Dublin City. The difficulty residents experience in parking in certain areas of the city is as a result of the significant increase in the number of vehicles registered in the State over the past number of years as against the finite amount of road space which can be made available for parking. The City Council will continue its efforts to manage this space as efficiently as possible and welcomes any suggestions in this regard, which will receive full consideration. If Mr Hogan wishes to write to me on this subject, I will be glad to consider his proposals.
Dear Madam Editor Whatever the original purpose or even the usage of this structure, my memories from the 1940’s is that the Hailing Station was the gathering place, especially on Sunday evenings, from which many of the dockers of Dublin Port learned about the likely comings and goings in the immediate future, so they might assess the possibility of employment in the coming days. Mr Kearns suggests this structure has the protection of our law, and therefore will not be removed but will be preserved appropriately (in somewhat similar manner as the Diving Bell on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay). At the same time many rumours and reports (some being credited to unnamed or untraceable official sources) have been circulating to the effect that the Hailing Station will be removed as obstructing new developments. Its appearance and likely condition certainly does not give confidence that the Hailing Station is being maintained and retained. As I am advised the Dublin Docklands Development Authority is the planning body for the area, I ask that you clarify the position for us, as soon as possible. You may notice from the piece by Mr Lawler, he believes the Hailing Station was erected in 1907, and accepting this to be correct, a suitable ceremony might be arranged to outline how its preservation might be arranged in this, its centenary year. The response received to date from DDDA suggests there are no plans to preserve or retain this historic structure. Indeed, it seems the Hailing Station will be demolished and removed as soon as the development of a new skyscraper structure gets underway. I believe the elimination of this symbol of the tradition of many of the families of the Dublin Port area, especially on the south side of City Quay/ Pearse Street/ Ringsend etc, would be sad loss and a poor reflection on the process of redevelopment in the area. Above: The Hailing Station in its current condition. |
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A Chara,