New bylaws proposed to resolve match-day chaos at Croke Park

Non-residents of the area are to be banned from parking within a 1km radius of Croke Park on match days under new bylaws being drafted by Dublin City Council.

Similar parking restrictions are likely to be extended to the area around the redeveloped Lansdowne Road stadium, the RDS and eventually the Point. However, residents could be asked to pay a premium for parking outside their own houses.

The ban is being introduced to prevent chaotic parking which occurs around areas such as Croke Park during matches and forces residents to park some distance from their own homes.

The bylaws would only apply on match days or during other events such as concerts.

Residents could obtain a parking permit from the council, while non-residents would be excluded from parking in the 1km zone, even if the area is subject to pay-and-display parking.

A report compiled by Tim O'Sullivan, executive manager of the council's traffic department, suggests that residents should have to pay a €40 annual fee for the permit, in addition to any fees already being paid for resident permits.

" . . . A realistic proportion of the cost of the implementation of the bylaws should be borne by those obtaining an advantage from them," he said.

However, Fianna Fáil councillor Mary Fitzpatrick, who represents areas near Croke Park and has campaigned for the introduction of the bylaws, said the residents had not caused the traffic problem and should not foot the bill.

"I would have a problem with the residents bearing the cost. Croke Park brought the problem into the area, they would have paid development levies to the council at the time of the redevelopment, so why can't we use some of these levies to defray the costs?"

Mr O'Sullivan has also suggested that the restriction might displace the traffic problem to nearby suburbs.

Ms Fitzpatrick intends to advance a proposal that the exclusion zone be extended to a 1.5km radius.

Match-goers would be discouraged from parking this distance from the stadium because of the longer walk involved and would seek alternative modes of transport to reach the venue.

In addition to the bylaws Ms Fitzpatrick is also proposing that a park-and-ride service be established with pickup points to the north, south and west of the city.

"If you want to discourage people from coming into the area you have to offer a viable alternative."

Ms Fitzpatrick said she hopes the bylaws will be in place by the next GAA season.

The RDS is likely to be the next venue up for consideration under the proposed bylaws.