Parking fiasco in Downpatrick

Parking fiasco in Downpatrick

19 November 2014

MOTORISTS using Irish Street Car Park in Downpatrick are being caught out by its unusual short stay rate, according to a local councillor.

Cadogan Enright says users of the Irish Street facility are becoming annoyed because they are being penalised for mistakenly expecting three hours of parking for 50 pence.

Several complaints have been made to him by motorists returning to their vehicles to face a traffic warden penalty when they believe they have properly paid for several hours of parking.

Mr. Enright believes the problem is arising because of a flaw in the local tariff system. He is annoyed that motorists get three hours of parking for 50 pence at Scotch Street and Market Street, but just one hour at Irish Street for the same payment.

He says the system is even more unfair as Irish Street is the only car park without a large tariff panel, meaning motorists are more likely to unwittingly make an underpayment.

Mr. Enright said Roads Service officials had been unable to explain the discrepancy between the three town centre car parks despite his concern.

“I have quizzed Roads Service over this and they have no explanation for it,” he said. “Dozens of people are being caught out in this trap.

“Even the traffic wardens have recounted to me their embarrassment at having to hand out fines to peoples’ astonishment due to the kink in the system.

“To make matters worse, the absence of a sign in Irish Street explaining the charges plainly, like the other car-parks, only adds to the problem.

“The new supercouncil is taking over car-parks from the Roads Service next year and I will be able to put a motion correcting this anomaly then.

“In the meantime I hope the Road Service will take appropriate action to address this issue.”

A spokeswoman from the Department for Regional Development said large signs at the entrance to each car park lets drivers know which car park they are in with tariff information clearly displayed on each parking machine.

“Drivers have therefore all the necessary information to enable them to chose whether they wish to park where they are or to drive to a car park with a different tariff,” she said.

“Responsibility to ensure that the correct ticket is purchased and displayed remains with the driver; but if any driver feels that they have been issued with a fine incorrectly, then they have a legal entitlement to make a written challenge and the Department will take all relevant circumstances into account.”