Work to ban motorhomes in car parks set to begin

Work to ban motorhomes in car parks set to begin

16 January 2019

WORK is to start shortly on a new scheme to ban motorhomes from two of Newcastle’s most popular car parks.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council is erecting the overhead barriers at the Downs Road and Glen River parks which command spectacular views of the Mournes and Dundrum Bay.

Work on erecting the barriers is due to start in March, with the local authority planning to provide a dedicated area for motorhomes at nearby Castle Park where vehicles will not be allowed to stay for more than 12 hours.

The move to erect the new barriers is designed to address increasing concern about the number of motorhome owners eating up valuable spaces that could be used by residents and visitors.

Council officials did examine the possibility of providing dedicated motorhome spaces at the Islands Park car park in the resort, but this option was ruled out, opting for the much larger Donard Park instead.

The new barriers will be specially designed and are expected to feature a silhouette of the Mournes along the top and while they will be locked, keys will be issued to the emergency services, local Coastguard and local authority cleansing and maintenance crews.

Local politicians have welcomed the recommendation to ban motorhomes from two of Newcastle’s most popular seafront car parks and say they recognise the importance of catering for their needs with the new spaces elsewhere in the town.

Mournes councillor Laura Devlin said the issue has concerned many in the resort.

She explained large vehicles taking up several spaces has caused “huge issues” for local authority

management when it came to moving them on and for the town’s business community which depends on a rotation of parking spaces across the resort.

Cllr Devlin said while a decision to erect the barriers at the Glen River and Downs Road car parks was agreed last year, there was a delay putting them up to ensure their design complemented the resort’s aesthetics and did not look industrial.

“While this process took time, I am delighted the barriers will be erected in March and council officials have assured me that the work at each location will only take several days, well ahead of the traditionally busy Easter period,” she explained.

Cllr Devlin also welcomed plans to provide a dedicated car parking area for motorhome owners at Castle Park.

“The council wants to welcome motorhomes to the district and recognises the value that they add to our tourism product,” she continued.

“Our main issue with motorhomes was the irresponsible parking and the protracted nature of their stay which resulted in the need for barriers to address this issue. As a result, Castle Park will have provision for a number of motorhomes which are welcome to park up overnight and enjoy what Newcastle has to offer.”

Cllr Devlin said the provision of the new spaces at both parks will be completed in advance of the new barriers being erected to ensure that there is no gap in provision.

She thanked council officials involved in addressing the motorhome issue and is pleased local authority officials plan to speak with representatives from the motorhome community to see what more can be done for them.

Cllr Devlin added: “There is an acceptance that motorhomes contribute to the local economy and that needs to be encouraged and supported where possible.”