The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
DISABLED parking spaces removed and replaced with Age Friendly parking in Ennis’ Cabey’s Lane will be relocated to the Lower Market area of the town, Clare County Council has confirmed.
The Clare Champion was contacted by concerned members of the public who questioned why the disabled parking spaces were transformed into ‘Age Friendly’ spaces, fearing that the disabled spaces had been taken away for good.
Can you help us out @ClareCoCo & let us know where those 2 ♿🅿️bays were moved to from Caby's Lane in Ennis? Same 2 spots are now repainted as "Age-Friendly". We had heard changes were made but assumed it meant relocation & not a very different type of relabelling? 🤷🏻♂️❓ pic.twitter.com/LRoyO0d9gE
— The Struggle Is Wheel (@struggleiswheel) November 21, 2022
A council spokesperson has explained that the space available at Cabey’s Lane did not meet the current design standards for disabled parking.
New disabled parking bays are to be installed in the Lower Market area and are due to come into operation in the first six months of next year.
Clare County Council stated, “Two disabled parking bays were removed and replaced with age friendly parking space at Cabey’s Lane as part of the recent Ennis Town Centre Public Realm Regeneration works.
“This is because under current design standards, disabled parking bays require significantly more space than standard car parking bays, and this could not be accommodated at the original location in Cabey’s Lane.
“It is proposed to replace the original disabled parking spaces at Cabey’s Lane within the Lower Market area.
“A Section 38 planning application was lodged and subsequently approved for two additional disabled parking bays at Lower Market Street. The proposed location requires adjustments to existing street furniture and third-party underground chambers.
“Clare County Council is currently engaging with these third parties and it is envisaged the new disabled parking bays will be operational in the first half of 2023.
“Clare County Council has also carried out significant works in relation to disabled parking bays in 2022 with an additional disabled bay provided in Abbey St Car Park, and realignment of other existing bays to conform with modern standards.”
