Darragh's Soapbox: Public speak out about 'shocking' parking situation in Waterford City
Parking in Waterford has been a contentious issue on social media this week.
It was outlined at a meeting of Waterford Council last week that if parking machines in Waterford are out of order the public must pay for parking using the Council app.
Speaking about a recent issue in Dungarvan where three parking metres were not working, Senior Council Engineer Gabriel Hynes said: "I do accept that there were three meters out. That doesn't exclude anyone from getting a ticket elsewhere and there isn’t any grace period because there was three meters out.”
The topic of parking in Waterford has caused a stir on social media, and indeed on the streets of Waterford this week when we asked locals about the parking situation in the city.
All of the people we asked said they use machines to pay for parking, not the app.
said: "It's 100% too expensive. Waterford is very bad for parking.
“If I did park in Waterford I would use cash. I have a smartphone, I can use an app, but I won't do it. Yes, give people the choice to do both, but if I can't pay in cash I'm not interested.
"I have a good electric bike to get in, but where do I leave it? There's nowhere to put a bike, and as for parking, shocking."
Local said: "If the machines are broken why don't they order new ones?
"There's no mercy. That's why I got rid of the car and I got the bike and I use the bus. In Dungarvan there's free parking everywhere, but not in Waterford."
added: “Parking is way too expensive. I think it's scandalous around the town. If you can only use the app, elderly people won’t be able to get parking."
Another local, who preferred to be unnamed, said: "It absolutely is too expensive. No doubt about it. You go to Kilkenny or Wexford and it's half the price. Using the app is ok for younger people, but what about older people? It's just bonkers."
