Recent months have seen a significant increase in what the Council points out is the illegal and highly dangerous practice of placing cars on the public roadside with a view to their sale.  

   

The Council is concerned that the resulting hazard can create dangerous traffic movements on the public road and has now introduced an initiative which it expects will bring an end to the illegal practice.   

Pic: Michael Mc Laughlin

   

Any vehicle found offered for sale on the public roadside will be affixed with a sticker instructing its removal within 24 hours. If the vehicle is not removed, or if the same vehicle is found offered for sale on the public roadside at any time in the future, it will be removed by the County Council in accordance with the provisions of the Roads Act and stored for a maximum of 6 weeks, before being disposed of.  

   

The Council reminds persons seeking to reclaim the vehicle that the costs of removal and storage of the vehicle must be paid in full to the Council before the impounded vehicle can be released. While the Council has not yet finalised these costs, it is expected they will be a strong deterrent to a repeat offence.  

   

“The Council will consider all necessary action to ensure the safety of the public while using the County’s road infrastructure and considers this initiative to be an effective step in this regard”.  

   

The Council will have competent contractors for the removal and storage of such unauthorised vehicles. 

The cost of removing and storing vehicles is:-

Removal        €200

Storage        €25 per day or part thereof.   

 

Tom Cullen, Director of SIMI stated, “Illegal roadside trading is a major road safety issue throughout the country. Not only are these cars unsightly on our roads but their hazardous locations at main roads, junctions and roundabouts are a serious danger to motorists.”  

 

Tom added, “By confronting this problem head on, we hope to rid Mayo of illegally parked cars and set a precedent for all local authorities in stamping out this growing problem. So far, thirty of the thirty-six local authorities have implemented by-laws to rid the country of roadside cars and are policing the Road Traffic Act. The SIMI has been working closely with the local authorities to resolve this matter and will continue to work hard to eliminate this illegal activity.”

 

 

Mayo County Council Road Safety Officer Noel Gibbons and Mayo County Council Senior Engineer Michael Mongan supervise the removal of an illegally parked "For Sale" car on the N84 Castlebar to Ballinrobe road. This is an initiative by Mayo County Council to promote Road Safety in the county. Pic: Michael Mc Laughlin

   

The Council also invites the public to do its part in improving road safety by bringing an end to this dangerous practice by contacting Mayo County Council’s Roads Department with details of any such unauthorised vehicles that may come to the attention of the public.