Review appeal on car park facilities

Review appeal on car park facilities

13 November 2024

NEWRY, Mourne and Down Council has been asked to review the success of a £130,000 car park it helped finance at the Bann Road in Castlewellan.

The 80 space car park — which was also financed by the Department for Infrastructure – was designed to ease parking congestion in the town centre and free up more spaces for shoppers as there is concern about so-called all-day parkers eating up valuable places in Main Street and Lower Square.

Before the Bann Road facility was opened, local authority officials said the facility was needed.

South Down MLA Colin McGrath used the car park last week and discovered it was completely empty at one of the busiest times for Castlewellan.

He said when he later returned to the car park it was still empty.

“Given the protracted issues of parking in Castlewellan, I would have thought that the so-called park and share facility at the Bann Road would have been better used,” said Mr McGrath.

“I plan to write to  the council enquiring if a review of the efficacy of the facility can be 

carried out. For example, what work has gone into promoting it and what are the benefits that come from car shares? 

“Has the council explored the possibility of a second opening for the facility given that it is set quite a distance along the Bann Road, an area renowned for flooding during periods of intense rain?”

He added: “I cannot stress the point enough that I think this is a terrific facility and one which we need people to get behind.”

Mr McGrath is also asking if the local authority would consider installing an electric charging point at the Bann Road car park.

He added: “I cannot stress the point enough that I think this is a terrific facility and one which we need people to get behind. 

“However, if the council is not promoting it or extolling its benefits, then nobody is going to make use of it to the extent that they could. This would be a real missed opportunity and I hope we can see some positive moves to increase the usage of the facility.”