A DUP councillor has welcomed the PSNI’s decision to tackle the “horrendous” parking situation in Loughgall.
On Saturday, February 27, officers were on patrol in the village and issued fixed penalty notices – five for obstructing footpaths and one for parking within 15 metres of a junction.
Previously, Councillor Lavelle McIlwrath had described the situation at weekends in Loughgall as “chaotic” and expressed his “dissatisfaction with PSNI’s response to the situation”.
This led to a meeting with police and Cllr McIlwrath has praised the PSNI’s subsequent “proactive response”.
Read more: Six fixed penalties as police tackle parking issue at Loughgall Country Park
“I was critical of police during our recent full council meeting citing illegal parking issues outside many of our parks and identifying Loughgall as being particularly problematic,” Cllr McIlwrath told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
“Following my intervention, I am please to the note the PSNI has been proactive and numerous tickets have been issued to those vehicles blocking footpaths and junctions in Loughgall village.
“This is exactly the type of ‘last resort’ action that was needed and hopefully this will now send out a very clear signal that it is not acceptable to simply park anywhere and not face consequences.
“I wish to put on record my thanks to the local neighourhood police team from Portadown who responded and to the many local residents, including the local Rector Pete Smith, who has been working with Council and myself to try and find solutions to the parking issues in Loughgall over these last few weeks.”
Taking to social media, a PSNI spokesperson advised motorists to use the car parks at any venue they are visiting.
“In Loughgall today (Saturday, February 27), in response to complaints from residents and elected representatives we have again been dealing with parking issues,” said the spokesperson.
“As a result six fixed penalties were issued for obstruction of the footpath and one for parking within 15 metres of a junction.
“Please use the car parks provided at any venue you are visiting. Obstructing the road, a footpath or junction is not acceptable.”
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