ALMOST 600 people have signed a petition calling on  Donegal County Council to remove boulders and rethink height restrictions plans at Culdaff beach car park.
Last weekend, boulders appeared at the popular Inishowen beach, and sparked anger among local residents. The council confirmed plans to put a height restriction barrier in place and local people are concerned this will have an impact on trade as the ice cream truck and coffee van will no longer be able to operate in the busy car park.  A petition was launched and quickly gathered 588 signatures from people calling for the Council to rethink the plans.

The petition reads, “This plan restricts the entrance to the likes of tourists with campervans, vans, vehicles for the disabled as well as two local businesses that have been parked in the beach car park for over two years providing local people with coffees, bakes and snacks as well as ice cream for the kids.
“During the winter months the Coffee Hub was there every weekend supplying hot beverages to all visitors to the beach.
“In the summer months, kids have always been delighted to see an ice cream van parked at the beach, especially at such a much loved and popular safe place.
“The height barriers would impact the local trade as well as the tourists coming to visit. For years there was never any issue and barriers were never needed. Why now?”

Donegal County Council said safety improvements were made to the car park and campervans were welcome to use the bigger car park at the beach.
A spokesperson said: “Culdaff beach is served by two carparks – one smaller carpark near the playground and another large carpark beside the football pitch.
“Recent changes to the layout of the smaller carpark have been made to improve safety, enhance the amenities provided and regularise the layout of parking spaces. This carpark now accommodates approximately 25 cars. The larger carpark at Culdaff accommodates approximately 80 cars.
“Height restrictions will also be introduced in due course at the smaller car park. Campervans continue to be welcomed to this beach and ample parking continues to be provided for these visitors at the main car park where attractive new seating has been installed.”