Parking to be banned along lane beside local nurseries

Parking to be banned along lane beside local nurseries

26 April 2017

ALL-day parking at the Folly Lane in Downpatrick is to be banned within the next few weeks.

Roads officials are currently consulting on a proposal to prohibit parking along the narrow road which links Irish Street with St Patrick’s Avenue. The move has secured the support of parents whose children attend the Irish language and Convent nursery schools at this part of the 

town and members of St Patrick’s Church.

The Transport NI proposal will not restrict access to the schools or church, but all-day parking at the Folly Lane will effectively be banned which has been welcomed by councillor Cadogan Enright.

He revealed that last year one car parked at the Folly Lane suffered a mechanical problem which resulted in the vehicle rolling backwards down a steep hill and crashing into a wall.

Councillor Enright has consulted with representatives from the two nursery schools and St Patrick’s Church and said they are happy with the Transport NI proposal.

The Downpatrick councillor said the Convent school has a car park for 30 vehicles and that maintaining access to this from Folly Lane is important. He said the Department of Education recently financed work to widen the entrance to the car park to avoid accidents.

“Many people access the car park at St Patrick’s Church for morning services via Folly Lane to avoid congestion in the area while the Irish language pre-school serves the whole of Lecale, with children arriving by car,” he explained.

“The big problem is people who park in Folly Lane which can make it dangerous given the number of vehicles accessing the nursery schools and St Patrick’s Church. The Transport NI proposal will effectively ban parked cars which is welcome and will help make this part of the town safer.

“It is important to emphasise that vehicles which require access to both schools and St Patrick’s Church will continue to be allowed to use Folly Lane.”