Free parking extended until middle of month

Free parking extended until middle of month

5 August 2020

FREE parking at Newry, Mourne and Down Council car parks across the district has been extended until August 17.

The decision is designed to encourage people to shop locally with the extension of free parking coming ahead of the traditionally busy back-to-school period for a number of businesses.

Charges were suspended as part of the easing of lockdown measures and while the move was broadly welcomed, concern was expressed that some all-day 

parkers were using the Irish Street car park in Downpatrick, leaving few spaces for shoppers.

Several traders had suggested allowing free parking in town centres for up to two hours, but the council has instead agreed to extend the free parking for an extra week. The original proposal was to end the scheme on August 10.

Downpatrick councillors Gareth Sharvin — who initially proposed the free parking initiative – and Oonagh Hanlon have welcomed the extension of the free parking scheme.

Cllr Sharvin’s suggestion was tabled at the June meeting of the local authority’s Strategic, Policy and Resources when it was also agreed to review the decision in early August.

“I proposed the initiative to encourage shoppers back into Downpatrick to provide a boost for our local businesses who have continued to provide key services during the pandemic and the easing of lockdown restrictions,” Cllr Sharvin explained.

He revealed that when he used the Irish Street, Scotch Street and Church Street car parks they

were extremely busy and he was heartened by the usage, admitting that he did receive some feedback that there were some all-day parkers taking up vital spaces which would have had a negative impact on our local businesses.

Agreement to extend the free parking initiative was accepted by the local authority on Monday following a proposal by Cllr Sharvin.

“The near eight weeks of free car parking have been a great benefit to Downpatrick and in my proposal to extend the scheme until August 17, I have asked that the car park strategy the council is completing is fast tracked.

“This is important to ensure equality across the district and to review the car park tariff of 40p an hour, with a reduction in the hourly rate being considered.” 

Cllr Sharvin said while shoppers will not have to pay to park for almost two more weeks, he has vowed to continue working with local businesses to ensure that the local authority is doing everything it can do to support them.

He added: “With this feedback from local businesses, I would not hesitate to call on the council to reconsider the car parking charges again, if traders feel it is impacting on them significantly during this continuing pandemic.”

Cllr Hanlon said while free parking had been extended, it was important that the public remembered that charges would be introduced shortly.

However, she expressed disappointment at the lack of signs informing people that parking is free which confused some shoppers.

Cllr Hanlon said a number drivers contacted her regarding the issuing of enforcement tickets whilst using the car parks for minor offences.

She continued: “This, in my opinion, was counter productive to the reason why councillors had agreed to the extended free parking to encourage people to shop locally and provide businesses with some breathing space to adapt to the new way of working.”

She also highlighted the need for the local authority to press ahead with its car parking strategy and for an  equitable charging system across the district.