Anger over clamping at Newbridge Train Station

Up to a dozen motorists had their cars clamped yesterday at Newbridge Train Station (pictured) because they had not parked in marked spaces. Fianna fail TD Fiona O’Loughlin has expressed concerns at the level of basic services at Newbridge Train Station and recently raised the lack of toilet facilities  in the Dail. The politician said she has contacted Iarnrod Eireann as to the lack of allocated marked car spaces in the car park despite the increased number of rail users. One couple from Blacktrench were horrified on their return yesterday to find their car clamped. The couple had paid €4.50 for a full day’s parking and displayed their ticket visibly. The woman said: “We had been up to Dublin for a hospital appointment and on our return, found our car was clamped as were many others around us. "My husband had parked the car in an area alongside other cars parked in marked car spaces. But there were no yellow lines or signs to say it wasn’t allowed. We weren’t blocking  the exit or approach or any other cars." She added: “The clamper pointed to the information on front of the pay machine warning about illegal parking but I, and many people of my age, would not be able to read that. "I was told to ring a number and pay a €120 fine by bank card. What do people do when they don’t have money in their account to pay? I was so stressed out that another man came to my assistance and phoned the parking company on my behalf and paid the fine. When I got home, I checked my account and another €5 was taken out for ‘handling fees’. “This is disgraceful; there was a young man beside us, with three small children who looked almost ill when he returned to find his car clamped. He had to leave it there overnight as he couldn’t pay the fine yesterday. With only a few weeks to Christmas, this is disgraceful and just so upsetting”. Furthermore, the couple had to wait at least an hour and a half before the clampers came to release the car. Deputy O’Loughlin further said she has been in contact with NCPS and is awaiting a reply and she also complained to Iarnrod Eireann.   She added: "I recently raised a PQ regarding the lack of toilet facilities at the station. Can you imagine how distressing it was last week as people having returned from a journey on the train had to wait a few hours to contact the parking company and have their cars released?”