Mayor of Tralee urges motorists not to abuse towns festive free parking arrangements

The Mayor of Tralee has urged motorists not to abuse the free parking arrangements in the county town for Christmas.

Cllr Terry O’Brien was responding to a statement by Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) which condemns free parking in towns for Christmas.

The group has described it as “unlawful and bad for business”, that encourages long-stay commuters and increases traffic congestion.

Cllr O’Brien says when the initiative was introduced in Tralee almost 20 years ago, businesses highlighted that workers were taking up the spaces, affecting footfall.

He states the free parking at council operated car parks is a gesture and has called on people not to abuse it.