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Buncrana parking charges net €100,000 29.04.08

BUNCRANA'S controversial parking charges have reaped an estimated €100,000 for the local authority in the first five months of operation, it can be revealed.
The take from the parking meters in the seaside town is between €3,000 and €4,000 on an average week, sources have indicated.
And around 600 parking fines at €40 each, have been issued since the scheme was introduced in November - around 21 weeks ago.
The return at the meters in that time is an estimated €73,500 - taking the figure at an average of €3,500 a week.
The return from the fines, meanwhile, would be around €24,000 but it must be acknowledged that not all traffic offenders have paid up.
While their outstanding fines have increased incrementally as a result, the Council has not seen a cent from some of the 600 fines issued.
It is also understood that the town has a number of alleged repeat offenders who continue to flout the new parking laws.
It's believed that despite being issued with up to five parking fines, the local authority has so far not instigated any legal proceedings against a number of motorists.
InishowenNews.com contacted Buncrana Town Council asking how much the scheme had earned so far for the local authority.
A parking meter in Buncrana
No figure was forthcoming but the town manager, Liam Kelly, issued the following statement:
"The introduction of pay and display in November 2007 has gone very well and revenue from the new system will be used to fund the acquisition of land for car parking and to consider how the required infrastructure will be funded.
"The system is working very well in assisting in the free flow of traffic on the Main Street. Traffic management will continue to be a priority in 2008." Mr. Kelly said a full account of the figures in respect of income and expenditure for 2008 would be published in the Buncrana Town Council Budget for 2009.
It must be acknowledged that not all the money earned so far from the parking meters and fines has resulted in profit for the Council. In fact, it would appear the Council is still in the red in respect of the new traffic management scheme.
Around 30 parking meters costing €4,000 each had to be installed at a cost of €120,000. This figure does not include ongoing maintenance and repairs. Similarly, the Council has to pay the salaries of two traffic wardens.
The parking charges apply from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday. Motorists pay 50c per hour with a maximum stay of two hours on the Main Street and all other streets. Drivers pay 30c per hour in the St. Mary's Road and Nailor's Row car parks or €1.20 for the day. Monthly passes cost €20; six monthly, €100; and €190 yearly, for car parks only.
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