Residents made 'prisoners in their own homes' with the return of SETU parking overflow
An overflow of parking in Ballybeg Park. Photo: Cllr Frank Quinlan
Students and staff from SETU are turning residents into "prisoners in their own homes" by parking in residential areas surrounding the university, particularly in the Ballybeg area, according to Waterford City South Councillor Jason Murphy.
Cllr Murphy raised the issue at last week's Metropolitan District meeting of Waterford City and County Council.
At the meeting, Cllr Murphy said he met with Waterford City and County Council engineer Paul Johnston in Ballybeg that morning, to discuss the issue and speak with residents affected by the excess parking in recent weeks.
"Anytime students go back this issue raises its head again," Cllr Murphy said at the meeting, asking if the council can do anything to discourage students from parking in these residential areas.
"I know it's an extremely complicated one," he continued, "but is it something we could look at?"
Mr. Johnston's response on behalf of the council was that "a softer approach" would be the initial response from the council, to discourage parking in residential areas, and encourage the use of public transport.
The Active Travel and Bus Connects schemes should help to alleviate these pressures, he said, adding that between staff and students at SETU over 80% are travelling by car.
