CCTV suggested to address Newcastle car park trouble

29 October 2025

RESIDENTS in Newcastle are suggesting that CCTV cameras could be used to help end anti-social and criminal behaviour at the Donard car park.

The move comes a week after it was revealed that the resort’s biggest car park could be closed at night as part of a radical action plan to finally end trouble at this part of the town.

An adjoining overflow car park — which is a magnet for young drivers who are terrorising residents who live nearby — has already been blocked off with concrete bollards.

But, within days of them being put in place, they have already been damaged by what is believed to be sledge hammers.

Taking to social media, some residents have suggested using CCTV cameras to quell the trouble, while one woman revealed the closure of the overspill car park had an impact on people attending an event in Donard Forest last weekend with “parking a nightmare”.

One resident said the overflow car park has been closed due to the “behaviour of half wits and their audiences” while another hoped that by this Friday and the town’s annual Halloween celebrations which includes a fireworks display, “a more suitable alternative will be in place”.

Another resident said strategically placed CCTV cameras to record anyone misbehaving could be monitored with offenders issued with fines or taken to court.

“Why not have a gate or automated bollards so that the car park can still be used during the day and closed off at night?” suggested another resident, urging Newry, Mourne and Down Council to act.

Another online post reasoned that one of the “simple solution” for Newcastles parking problems, including campervans and so-called boy racers, would be to put height restrictions across the traffic entrance at Islands car park, allowing visitors to access parking and locals could take children to the play park.

The overnight closure of Donard Park was suggested two weeks ago following a meeting involving politicians, the PSNI, local council and Department for Infrastructure officials.

Residents affected by the late night disturbances also took part in the meeting organised by Sinn Fein in direct response to increasing concern about the late night activity of young drivers in and around the Donard Park area.

The agreed action plan includes immediate temporary steps which are at the heart of plans to eventually implement a permanent solution over the coming months.

The concrete bollards at the entrance to the overflow car park which does not have lighting, were requested after a car damaged fencing, with the principle of permanently closing the main car park overnight agreed by all the partners.

But before anything happens, council officials set to commence the required consultation process with residents and business owners.

It’s proposed that automated bollards will be installed to provide people who need to access their homes via the car park.

Also as part of the new action plan, DfI roads officials have agreed to conduct a speed assessment survey on the Shimna Road and identify potential measures to address speeding and dangerous driving when leaving the car park.

And police are to increase their presence in the Donard Park area and deploy officers on the Shimna Road with hand held speed devices in a bid to deter irresponsible driving.

Following the recent meeting, South Down MP Chris Hazzard said a “clear plan with immediate temporary and permanent solutions” is now in place, while Cathy Mason MLA said the success of the meeting was securing commitment from a number of agencies to work together to tackle the ongoing anti-social behaviour.

She said it’s important that residents and local businesses are consulted as part of the progress towards a permanent solution.

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