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Parking fine increases 'will only work if they're actually enforced'

Parking fines are to double from €40 to €80 from February 1st
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

09.55 7 Jan 2022


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Parking fine increases 'will o...

Parking fine increases 'will only work if they're actually enforced'

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

09.55 7 Jan 2022


Share this article


One campaign group says new fines for parking in cycle lanes will only work if they are actually enforced.

It comes as parking fines are set to double from February 1st.

Penalties for parking on footpaths, cycle tracks and bus lanes will go from €40 to €80.

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Una Morrison is a spokesperson for the Dublin Cycling Campaign.

She told Newstalk Breakfast it all looks good in theory.

"We very much welcome this... these are significant issues, from people leaving their cars just for 'two minutes' but can inconvenience and cause cyclists to be put in a dangerous situation by [being] pushed into main traffic.

"But something that we think is really important is that this fine is actually enforced.

"It doesn't matter if it's €40, €80 or €1m - if no one gets the fines, it really isn't a deterrent."

And she says private operators, employed by local councils, should also have more powers.

"So we think it's really important that the Gardaí do actually apply these fines, and consider maybe that some of the private parking operators that are employed by the councils, that they can also give these fines.

"At the moment, they focus mainly on people who have not paid for their paid parking and they don't clamp or do anything around illegal parking in cycle lanes."

And she believes drivers should be more mindful of who they affect when they park their car.

"I think firstly there needs to be enforcement, and secondly people need to have more personal responsibility and [be] conscious of how they park and how they leave their massive car has an impact on a lot of vulnerable people around them.

"People pushing buggies, people cycling, young children cycling - we want more of them cycling to school.

"And if the cycle lanes are blocked and they push out into the main traffic - which is OK for me on my own, for example - but could be really tricky for a five or six-year-old on a bike".

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan says: "Parking on footpaths puts vulnerable pedestrians, such as wheelchair users and those pushing buggies, at significant risk by forcing them off the footpath and into traffic.

"Parking in bus and cycle lanes endangers cyclists and undermines State investment in sustainable public transport infrastructure.

"These increases should help improve the safety of all vulnerable road and footpath users, by creating a more effective deterrent to these specific forms of illegal parking."

Parking fine increases 'will only work if they're actually enforced'

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Main image: Composite image shows a parking violation ticket and a cycle and bus lane in Dublin. Picture by: Radharc Images/Avalon/Construction Photography/Alamy Stock Photo

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Bus Lanes Cycle Lanes Cycle Tracks Dublin Cycling Campaign Eamon Ryan Footpaths Newstalk Breakfast Parking Fine Increase Parking Fines Una Morrison

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