Parking in Portarlington Railway Station

Roaster

I've been reliably informed that pay parking will be coming into effect in Portarlington Railway Station in October. I've no exact date yet but I believe it's early October.

Well, what do you think?

I only live 5 mins away so it won't affect me as I walk to the station but my major gripe would be if you buy a weekly ticket you're not guaranteed a space (assuming it's going to be the same scenario as the other stations).

kmart6

Well it's been discussed before from here on in another thread. Search button is your friend!

They won't be able to implement it as they haven't upgraded the car park yet as they were supposed to!

Roaster

Ouch, I'll consider my hand slapped there. Mods please merge with other thread.

kikel

Roaster wrote: »

Ouch, I'll consider my hand slapped there. Mods please merge with other thread.

ROFL

SmandyMaguire

a fiver a week, sher it'll hardly break the bank

Roaster

It'll be €8 a week.

TheRealBoss

Haven't been to port station in a while.

Is there barriers or is it a ticket that u stick on the inside of the windscreen each day?

Can you still park 'illegally' - i.e. double park, etc or do you have to park within the lines ?

I'm currently using portlaoise ... they're bringing it in there as well eventually.

kmart6

There's nothing in place yet! It's a ticket you buy afaik , but it's not clear what way it'll operate! I doubt the illegal parking will be allowed to continue...but for that not to happen there going to have to provide the extra spaces required!

mary123

Where else would u park all week for a fiver.

Roaster

Just got this from a friend who met with an official of Irish Rail

We were advised at the meeting that pay parking is coming in on the 6th October and also work on the car park should commence in the next 4-6 weeks and should be completed by the end of April.

I have just sent an email requesting that the Board of Irish Rail reconsider the introduction of pay parking until such time as the car park has been extended.

If the dont agree to the above at least adhere to the promise given in there press release on the 17th July that commuters will be given at lease two weeks notice. At the moment we were not even given a weeks notice.

We also queried the regulation of parking fees and why Sallins are only paying €5per week and we will be paying €8.

kikel

Roaster wrote: »

We also queried the regulation of parking fees and why Sallins are only paying €5per week and we will be paying €8.

I bet Sallins parking will go to €8 sometime soon.

The request that paid parking not coming in until the works are finished on the new carpark seems fair.

Roaster

kikel wrote: »

I bet Sallins parking will go to €8 sometime soon.

The request that paid parking not coming in until the works are finished on the new carpark seems fair.

The request is fair but this is Irish Rail we're referring to. Do you think putting monthly & annual tickets up by 15% is fair too? No, but they're going to do it anyway.

Ruby-J

Theyre unreal! the backstards. as if the commuting isnt enough for everyone like. grrrr


:mad:

kmart6

It's a bloody joke....was talking to the guy in the ticket booth wasn't bothered with it at all! Said he knows feck all about it!

I think it's stupid to offer people the chance to buy a weekly ticket when there will be no guarentee of having a space!

Roaster

More info....

Forgot to mention to you yesterday that Irish Rail should be introducing a monthly pay parking ticket over the next few months at a cost of €30 per month.

Also the cost of getting the clamp removed if you are got parking without a ticket is a whopping €120

below is a extract of a letter I received from the CEO of Irish Rail this time last year.
“Iarnrod Eireann has embarked on a major programme of railway station car park improvements in direct response to our customers needs and expectations. At each station car park works will include significant increases in parking capacity, improvements to lighting, layout and ease of access/egress and also the provision of CCTV for personal and vehicle security. To help fund the operation and maintenance of the car parks, Iarnrod Eireann will introduce parking charges as is the case in almost all local authority car parks through the State.

However, with regard to the level of charges, our parking fees will be significantly lower than those typically found in other car parks. Our commuter car parking charges where introduced are currently €2 per day of just €5 for a weekly car parking ticket. At stations where these charges have already been introduced, no customer resistance has occurred. On the contrary, customers have responded very positively to the increased capacity and security of the car parks following the enhancement works.”

Roaster

kmart6 wrote: »

It's a bloody joke....was talking to the guy in the ticket booth wasn't bothered with it at all! Said he knows feck all about it!

I'd say that's bollox! They have to know, sure the fecking customer notice is right outside their door. Never found them p***** to be helpful.

kmart6

I know. But at the same time I could understand it cause it's nothing to do with them!

Anyone see the letter to the editor in the Metro this morning?!

sydthebeat

If the GAA had any sense they would open the centre up for parking and charge a reduced rate of, say, €1 per day (= €20 per month)

kmart6

Good idea but I wouldn't fancy having to run from there the whole way up the platform,lol:D

ChillyS

Yeah they'd left a leaflet underneath my wiper when i got home last night, parking is a bit much when they charge what they do for the train service which is a bit excessive in my opinion. It'll definately discourage people from commuting.

Roaster

Car park didn't seem to be as packed as normal this morning. Are people car pooling, walking or what's the story?

ports best

it looks like there all parking outside the car park now near where mcmahons builders used to be, i saw a heap of cars along that road parked up this morning

kmart6

Car park wasn't packed cause your only supposed to park in proper spaces so that takes out a good few extra cars! They way the cars were parked up along the road towards Corrig is just dangerous!!!

Mr. Presentable

Roaster wrote: »

Car park didn't seem to be as packed as normal this morning. Are people car pooling, walking or what's the story?

They'll all be parking at your house. Sure it's only 5 minutes walk away from the station

Roaster

I have been asked by a friend of mine (who's liaising with IE on the parking issue) to try and gauge reaction on the paid parking. So if you have any comments please post them here and I'll forward on same to him.

DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER!!!

kikel

Firstly, let me just point out, I don't use the train, but this is the internet where every Tom, Dick and Harry has got an opinion so here is mine.

• I totally understand paid parking in cities and town centres but Portarlington Station is on the outskirts of the town. People can just park down the road.
• Since paid parking was introduced the junction at canal road has become more dangerous. People are parking to close to the bend which is illegal. I blame the people parking here for breaking the law, the Gardai for not enforcing the rules of the road and the council for not painting double yellow lines on this junction.

Curvy Vixen

kikel wrote: »

Firstly, let me just point out, I don't use the train, but this is the internet where every Tom, Dick and Harry has got an opinion so here is mine.

• I totally understand paid parking in cities and town centres but Portarlington Station is on the outskirts of the town. People can just park down the road.
• Since paid parking was introduced the junction at canal road has become more dangerous. People are parking to close to the bend which is illegal. I blame the people parking here for breaking the law, the Gardai for not enforcing the rules of the road and the council for not painting double yellow lines on this junction.

Pah! I'm with kikel on this one...don't use the train either but feck it! I would be more than happy to pay if I saw some sort of benefit..CCTV, extra security, whatever. But seeing as how I don't, if I was using the train regularly, I'd probably park 'down the road'.....that's my tuppence worth!

Ruby-J

kikel wrote: »

[*]Since paid parking was introduced the junction at canal road has become more dangerous. People are parking to close to the bend which is illegal. I blame the people parking here for breaking the law, the Gardai for not enforcing the rules of the road and the council for not painting double yellow lines on this junction.
[/LIST]

As a fellow station road and canal road user on a daily basis i second the complaint re the parking on the corners of the streets. it has made this junction a complete hazard to all road users!!! its really ridiculous!!!

kikel

kikel wrote: »

I totally understand paid parking in cities and town centres but Portarlington Station is on the outskirts of the town. People can just park down the road.

Just to back up my point, You can understand paid parking in Portaloise where the train station is in the centre of town. Parking is limited. Either pay at the station or pay on the street\carpark attached to Heritage hotel(they offer daily rate for commuters). Paid parking with stop locals from using the free facilites but in Port it's just an example of them screwing the people that use the train.
Fair enough local residents had problems with people parking at the junction to the station but the council helped this situation by painting double yellow lines. The junction is now safer and traffic moves better than before. Next thing we'll find that the council will introduce paid parking along station road so they can get a bit of the action.



RANT OVER, lucky i don't use the train, because if i did my rants would even be more unbearable.

sydthebeat

kikel wrote: »

Just to back up my point, You can understand paid parking in Portaloise where the train station is in the centre of town. Parking is limited. Either pay at the station or pay on the street\carpark attached to Heritage hotel(they offer daily rate for commuters). Paid parking with stop locals from using the free facilites but in Port it's just an example of them screwing the people that use the train.
Fair enough local residents had problems with people parking at the junction to the station but the council helped this situation by painting double yellow lines. The junction is now safer and traffic moves better than before. Next thing we'll find that the council will introduce paid parking along station road so they can get a bit of the action.

The idea of paid parking is to stop people who dont really need to park at the station from parking there. I dont use the train (after spending 5 years up and down to the big smoke, ill neve stepon one again!!)....

The idea would be that when the paid parking comes in the numbers using the parking will diminish. To be honest theres so many estates around the top of station road that a lot of people can easily walk to the station. The problem was clear to see, that the overspill was causing traffic problems at station road and seskin road.

regarding painting yellow lines, that sall fine and well, but wont make any difference..... until bye laws are passed in the town to make parking illegal. At the moment theres no bye law,therefore parking on double yellow lines isnt an offense... now, i am certainly open to correction on this, but thats my understanding.

kikel

sydthebeat wrote: »

regarding painting yellow lines, that sall fine and well, but wont make any difference..... until bye laws are passed in the town to make parking illegal. At the moment theres no bye law,therefore parking on double yellow lines isnt an offense... now, i am certainly open to correction on this, but thats my understanding.

I'm not an expert on the law but i hope your wrong about that. I would think that parking on double yellows is illegal on a national level rather than on a local bye law.

Does that also mean that the Gardai can't give someone a ticket in Portarlington for parking to close to\on a junction or parking beside traffic lights. This is the rules of the road FFS. Next thing we'll here the Gardai can't do speed checks around town because their is no bye law for it. (sarcasm, I'm in a funny mood this morning Syd, ignore me) :eek: :P

sydthebeat

between you and me kikel.... do you know ANYONE whos every gotten a parking ticket in port....????

i certainly dont.

kikel

sydthebeat wrote: »

between you and me kikel.... do you know ANYONE whos every gotten a parking ticket in port....????

i certainly dont.

Nope, People even park outside the Garda station on the double yellow lines.

sydthebeat

kikel wrote: »

Nope, People even park outside the Garda station on the double yellow lines.

penny dropped??

kikel

sydthebeat wrote: »

penny dropped??

Nope, still hope your wrong, but why paint them if they mean nothing. I'd still be of the opinion that it is illegal. Wheather the Gardai enforce it is another issue.

Roaster

Folks,

Thanks again for all your opinions and keep them coming.

For what it's worth I agree with almost all the points raised but especially with the parking on Station Road/Canal Road. How there hasn't been a serious accident there yet is beyond me. As a resident of Railway Mews I know how bad Seskin Land was last year and hopefully it won't happen again. I still know of 3 people from the estate who drive up everyday.

Another gripe I have is with the amount of cars waiting outside the entrance to the station to pick people up. Somedays it's nigh impossible to make your way out of the station.

kikel

Does anyone think that their is excessive disabled parking up their? I was up their lately and noticed their was 4-5 places free. Maybe their is a rule\standard for laying out carparks that a certain % must be for diabled users.

lorweld

Roaster, I don't use the train but heres my opinion on it!

It's alot of money to have to pay on top of your train ticket for parking. However I really don't think IE are going to reverse their decision on it. They haven't anywhere else afaik.

I really can't understand what your problem is with people from nearby estates driving to the station? Quite frankly it's none of your business or anyone elses! They pay their train fares like everyone else and now their parking fee. I know if I travelled on the train and with the weather we have I would drive too. Who wants to travel the whole way into work in wet clothes?

It's IE's fault if the parking isn't adequate for the amount of commuters using the trains each day. They know exactly the numbers involved! And don't tell me you've never gotten a lift or drove to the station before cos I'd find that hard to believe my apologies if I'm wrong!

sydthebeat

kikel wrote: »

Does anyone think that their is excessive disabled parking up their? I was up their lately and noticed their was 4-5 places free. Maybe their is a rule\standard for laying out carparks that a certain % must be for diabled users.

Each local authority sets out its own parking standards in the current Development Plan. Minimum requirements for disabled parking provision are usually included and these tend to be incorporated into planning permissions. In most local authorities the current requirement is for 1% of total spaces to be set aside for disabled motorists.

Roaster

lorweld wrote: »

It's alot of money to have to pay on top of your train ticket for parking. However I really don't think IE are going to reverse their decision on it. They haven't anywhere else afaik.

I agree, they won't

I really can't understand what your problem is with people from nearby estates driving to the station? Quite frankly it's none of your business or anyone elses! They pay their train fares like everyone else and now their parking fee. I know if I travelled on the train and with the weather we have I would drive too. Who wants to travel the whole way into work in wet clothes?

I suppose my gripe really goes back to when it was free parking and the over parking was forcing people onto Seksin Lane (onto the paths). I know of two couples in Railway Mews who have twins and cannot use the path because of people parking up on it. I just cannot understand people driving two minutes down the road rather than walk, it's not good for the car's engine for a start. In answer to your other question yes I have accepted a lift off a neighbour once or twice, am I a bad person??

lorweld

Roaster wrote: »

I just cannot understand people driving two minutes down the road rather than walk, it's not good for the car's engine for a start. In answer to your other question yes I have accepted a lift off a neighbour once or twice, am I a bad person??

You may be right, but they are still entitled to drive to and park in the station as much as anyone else! Let them worry about their cars.

Are you a bad person for accepting a lift? No, as neither are they bad people for driving to the station.

Sydthebeat I think your idea of the gaa opening up their carpark at a reduced rate is a good one! Perhaps if someone approached them with the idea? I do know they are currently fundraising for a second field so they might welcome the chance!

smokestone

The work on extending the car park will commence in the next few weeks and should be completed by the end of April. Even when the car park is extended you will still have people parking on the road.

One of the planning permissions for the car park was a development levy of €150,000 for three roundabouts that are built or to be built. The council are due to put in a roundabout at the entrance to the station and also on the junction between canal road/station road. I have no idea where the third one is going.

The xtra disabled spaces are those required under the planning permission 07/2050,

For those of you who park your car at the station, if you are ever clamped the release fee will be a whopping €120

As Roaster has already mentioned they were chaos regarding cars parking down seskin lane and at the entrance to the station last March. As a result of publicity from the local residents double yellow lines were put down. Parking on station road was not as bad today as it has been in the past, I noticed they were more cars parked outside Odlums and outside the GAA pitch.

kikel

Smokestone, here is the third round about. These are the two up at the station. The one at centra is not shown. Sydthebeat posted this image originally in a previosu thread about commuting

smokestone

The map is correct, the roundabout on seskin lane is being built by the company extending the car park, take a look at the planning conditions on application 07/2050. I was wrong about the number of disabled spaces they are 24 going in.

The car park when extended will be the envy of commuters from all other towns as when it is completed we will have our pick of carpark spaces

FYI the planning application consisted of
"develop works within the curtilage of a protected structure comprising of the removal of existing railway sidings and disused goods platform north of the station buildings, the construction of 369 additional car parking spaces including 24 disabled spaces, 4 taxi spaces, the provision of storage and bus set down, alterations to the existing car park and associated site works including site lighting and boundary fencing"

There was a article in the local papers last year about a roundabout going in at the junction of Station Road/Canal Road and also something being done about the roundabout at the entrance to Kilnacourt.

kmart6

From what I know there's only 10 clamps to cover Nass,Kildare,Newbridge and Port!

smokestone

Irish Rail were before the Transport Oireachtas
Committee last month to answer questions on the introduction of pay parking.

Below is the link to the question and answers session.

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=TRJ20080924.xml&Node=H3&Page=1

TheRealBoss

Don't know if clamping has happened in Portarlington, but saw three cars clamped in Portlaoise this evening ..... don't know if they had valid tickets or not but they were in a 'walking' area (where cars have been parking for years!) ...... be careful out there :mad:

smokestone

they were two cars clamped in Portarlington this afternoon and a third had a sticker on it but no clamp.

They appears to be more cars parked on station road today than in the last two weeks.

Ruby-J

smokestone what was in the paper about the roundabout at kilnacourt can ye remember? was it they were going to put in lights instead? :eek:

undecided

re cars pasking on station rd Id say they will clamp down on it now the new sch is open

smokestone

Got the information on the roundabouts, one going in at the entrance to the station and the other at the station road/ canal road junction, the third roundabout must be the one down at the Kilnacourt entrance.

The council are also considering putting in a roundabout from the kilnacourt roundabout up to the train station.

All of the above is subject to funding.

I couldnt figure out how to put the attachment I received about the roundabouts/cycle lanes etc up on the forum. If you want to send me a PM I can forward the info to you