Parking is a triggering, hot-button issue all over the country. Sometimes it is about cost. However, in Mallow, it is about availability.
There are fears in the north Cork town the lack of parking could impact business life, the high street and economic heartbeat of the centre of the town.
Councillors have said the problem is population is rising fast, but parking is not matching it.
Business owners said more parking is needed fast to keep the centre of the town alive.
All this comes as the town is already choked with congestion and waits for a long-promised bypass to be built.
When I arrived in Mallow, early morning traffic was crawling slowly, causing congestion.
There was a familiar scene for local commuters and traders of cars, vans and lorries inching along in bumper-to-bumper traffic near the clock house and bridge.
Despite the congestions, traders have said the number one issue here is parking.
"Parking is critical and proper infrastructure is critical to the economic life of the town, including our business," Catherine Barry said outside her shop Barry’s Menswear.
She added that the issue is turning customers away.
"If you come to town, and you're driving around and you can't find a car parking space, well, it's very easy to leave the town and drive up the road to the city," Ms Barry said.
"What's your primary emotion as we're talking?" I enquire.
"I suppose frustration, extreme frustration actually, because we're in business in the town, my husband and myself, over 35 years, and we're talking (about) this [parking] that long," Ms Barry said.
'Impossible for people to park'
She is not alone. Traders in Mallow have said the lack of parking is a challenge for the town’s economy.
Peter Sugrue of Sugrue's Furniture said parking in the town is a "disaster".
"People will find it very hard to park their cars. There's certain times during the day. In the morning is perfect, but come the afternoon, the whole town is gridlocked. It's impossible for people to park. It's a disaster," Mr Sugrue said.
Catriona Cronin, owner of a home and gift store, and women’s fashion shop, The Lime House, said parking is a real challenge.
"People working in the town are taking up spaces that are there for customers. We have a severe shortage of parking, and I suppose our population is growing as well."
Mallow Chamber of Commerce is also concerned. Its president, Joyce A Good Hammond, said more parking is needed in the town.
"As a chamber, we want to keep the business in Mallow, rather than it going to other cities," she said.
Parking review under way, council says
Cork County Council has said it is now reviewing parking in the town.
"Cork County Council are aware of concerns raised by businesses and stakeholders in Mallow town with regard to parking provision and the issue has been raised by elected members of the Kanturk-Mallow municipal district at recent municipal district meetings.
"In response to the issue, Cork County Council have recently undertaken an audit of public parking space provision in the town and are now reviewing the overall parking provision and operation in the town," it said in a statement.
The council added: "This review is being carried out in the context of other significant infrastructure projects currently being progressed by Cork County Council in Mallow, including the URDF funded Main Street public realm enhancement which is currently at design stage and NTA active travel projects within the town centre.
"The review will examine the operation of time limits applying to town centre parking and the demand for additional parking and take account of sustainable travel objectives and town centre vitality.
"Mallow town has experienced significant and welcome growth in residential and commercial development in recent years.
"In line with that significant public investment in active travel and public realm improvements has already been completed, including projects such as the Mallow boardwalk and enhancements to the town park.
"In addition, recent private retail developments in the town have provided additional parking capacity within their developments. Cork County Council will continue to assess potential options to support economic activity in Mallow."
More people need more parking
Parking pressures are being driven in part by rapid population growth.
Council figures show Mallow’s population rose by 14% between 2011 and 2022 (from just over 11,605 to nearly 13,456) with projections suggesting it could reach 16,000 by 2028.
Local councillors have said parking provision has not kept pace with population growth.
Fianna Fáil councillor Pat Hayes welcomed the council review being carried out.
Labour Party councillor Ronan Sheehan said: "Businesses in the town are under pressure. They're feeling under pressure from lots of other outside forces and everything...but the one thing that we can manage as a council is to provide parking and not be somewhat responsible for the decline in Main Street trading."
"While there is a reasonable level of parking overall, there's a clear shortage of long-term parking for people working in the town. And one option I've suggested is a multi-storey car park," Cllr Sheehan said, adding the site of that multi-story should be at Muddy Hill in the town.
The council said: "The existing public carpark at Muddy Hill, Mallow is in the ownership of Cork County Council. There are no plans to construct a multi-storey carpark at this location."
People timing their run
Council figures show there are 800 parking spaces on the street and in public car parks, along with a further 1,000 spaces within private developments.
But for shoppers parking is a problem.
"It’s really, really hard to get parking. On a Friday I wouldn’t go near the town," one woman said.
"I work just over the road and I’d often drive in on my lunch break on a Friday to go to the bank, do a few bits...but not a hope."
"I always try and shop local, but there isn’t much in the town," the shopper said. "For women’s clothes, I’d drive up to the city. You’d be faster getting to Blackpool than you would driving down here on a Friday."
Asked if parking was part of that, she replied: "Absolutely."
"Between 2pm and 4pm, I’d be like, 'no, I’m not coming in’," another woman said as she emphasised that she "times" getting into Mallow town.
"I wouldn’t really be inclined to come into town because I can get better deals online," the shopper said.
"It’s great to shop local, but the reality is, if you can get better deals...especially with the cost of living...you are going to order online. It’s just the reality of it, like," she added.
While a bypass remains years away, Transport Infrastructure Ireland expects a preliminary business case from Cork County Council in the third quarter of this year.
Back at the top of the town, Ms Barry reflects on the wider challenge facing independent retailers.
Trading in towns in Ireland is a complex jigsaw puzzle with pressures from rising costs, online competition and the cost of living.
She said parking is in the control of the town and should be fixed first.
"This is the problem for the independent retailer. There's a lot of dynamics involved in succeeding and being successful in business.
"We're up against online, but the one (thing) that we actually have control of now, we have to work with what we've got. And what we've got right now is the town we have, and parking is a primary issue. So, let's fix that," she says.
