Illegal parkers blocking Town Hall fire exits

Cars parking illegally at the back of the Town Hall are blocking fire exits, it has been revealed by the Town Council’s Operations Manager.

Motorists looking to avoid the hefty increase in car park charges in the town are looking to take advantage of free space in the town centre, and at this week’s Property and Services Committee, Paul McGrath revealed that it had become a dangerous problem.

He wants action taken at the Town Council car park where his vehicles and staff park at the back of the Town Hall (pictured). He said the location has more than double the number of cars permitted there at times.

“We have serious issues with the parking at the back of the Town Hall,” Mr McGrath reported to councillors. “It’s horrendous. We are blocking fire escapes. We have six spaces and last time I checked on Monday there were 14 cars on there.

“So, I don’t know who has given permission for people to park there but I have got traders turning around and going home because they can’t get parked. I have got arguments going on with local businesses who think it is their parking space and not ours. I don’t know what to do about it but it needs sorting ASAP.”

His report was followed by a lengthy debate between councillors who couldn’t decide on the best way forward between them, with the option to simply block it off with bollards to non-permitted vehicles potentially causing more problems for Mr McGrath.

After some time, it was decided to defer the issue to Full Council for a decision later this month.