Paid parking is being partially re-introduced in Longford town from the beginning of July in an effort to help local businesses.
A number of traders say that since paid parking was suspended at the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown, many people have taken to parking their cars on the street all day.
Businesses that have re-opened say that people need every encouragement to shop in the town, and lack of parking would be an obstacle.
Councillors agreed at their monthly meeting this week that the council re introduce a two hour free parking scheme from the beginning of next month, and paid parking as normal will be re-introduced in September.
Fianna Fail councillor Seamus Butler says the local authority must do everything in its power to help businesses who are facing a very challenging time.
