Council urged to seek opportunities for public car park in Ramelton

Donegal County Council has been urged to seek out opportunities for the provision of a public car park in Ramelton.

The call came from Cllr Pauric McGarvey at the January meeting of Letterkenny-Milford municipal district.

"Will this Council seek opportunities of potential property that may be available  around Ramelton town for a public car park?", asked Cllr McGarvey.

He told council members that he was bringing the motion forward as it is “something that’s raised on a regular basis” by residents in Ramelton. He said that while he welcomed Ramelton’s inclusion in the council’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund for tackling dereliction, he expressed concerns that parking would be reduced in the town.

“Ramelton is such a busy town,” said Cllr McGarvey. “It’s a gateway town for places like Fanad, it has lots of businesses, markets, a vets, cafes.”

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He added that a car park was a “major need” for Ramelton.

Cllr Liam Blaney seconded the motion, saying a car park was “badly needed” and “long overdue”.

“We need to be more proactive to solve the situation,” he said. “There’s new businesses in Ramelton, and the Lennon Festival brings a huge amount of tourists. 

“It’s a heritage town, we have great volunteers in the Ramelton Tidy Towns who pick up litter and put up the Christmas decorations. If we don't get a car park, it would stop a lot of people coming to Ramelton.”

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However, David McIlwaine of the council’s Roads and Transportation team informed: “There is currently no funding or resources available to carry out this study. Consultation can be had with the various directorates to see if funding opportunities become available.”