FRUSTRATED motorists caught up in long traffic jams and residents who can’t park outside their own homes have called for a traffic management system to be put in place in the vicinity of Fitzgerald Stadium on big match days.
They have also pointed out that wheelchair or walking frame users, or parents with buggies or prams, are being put in real danger because they have to step on to the busy road where cars have been abandoned on footpaths alongside double yellow lines.
The problem surfaces almost every time there is a match of any significance in Fitzgerald Stadium as was the case for today’s County Intermediate Championship final between Beaufort and Na Gaeil.
Residents along Lewis Road contacted KillarneyToday.com to complain that the footpath had been blocked outside their homes making it virtually impossible for people on foot to pass by.
Almost every available parking spot in Dalton’s Avenue, Marian Terrace and St Brendan’s Place was also taken before and during the match which prevented residents from parking outside their own properties.
“This is like a long-playing record. We’ve been complaining for years but there must be a stop put to it,” one resident remarked.
“One man was trying to park outside his own house today and this people carrier came along and raced in before him. The driver refused to move and just walked off up to the game”.
“In fairness to the stadium, they put out parking cones in some places but people just come along and move them. There’s no law or order up here and the question that must be asked is where are the guards when this is going on?” the resident added.
The situation in the immediate vicinity of the stadium on Lewis Road is particularly dangerous as drivers park – illegally – on both sides of the road, causing total chaos and making it very difficult for people to pass.
“God help us if an ambulance or a fire truck needs to get down there. It’s an absolute disgrace with cars and vans parked everywhere, particularly on pedestrian pathways,” the resident added.
A number of residents have suggested that the stadium committee should open the outside field on the Lewis Road for parking and have stewards there to ensure it is done in an orderly fashion.
“The gates are plenty big enough and there is plenty of room in there. If they say it’s not suitable what we’ll say back to them is that parking up on the footpaths right outside people’s homes isn’t suitable either,” the angry resident stated.
She pointed out that the public car parks at Rock Road, High Street, Áras Phadraig, Fair Field and the Glebe are all a very short walking distance from the stadium but people are determined to get as close to the park as possible – irregardless of the consequences for others.
“We’ve had enough at this stage. The next time this happens we’re going to get photographs of the cars and their registration numbers and pass them on to the guards and then we’ll see what happens. If people are prepared to act illegally then there must be a price to be paid,” the very annoyed resident warned.
