Temporary ban on motorhomes

Temporary ban on motorhomes

21 August 2024

LOCAL politicians will tonight be asked to impose a temporary ban on motorhomes using one of Newcastle’s most popular car parks.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council is proposing to erect height restriction barriers at the entrance to Castle Park during next month’s Amgen Irish Open at the town’s prestigious Royal County Down Golf Club.

The ban will be in operation between September 9-15. Formal approval for the temporary barrier will be sought at tonight’s meeting of the local authority’s Sustainability and Environment Committee.

The cost of erecting the temporary barrier in Newcastle and a permanent one at The Square in Warrenpoint is in the region of £2,000.

There is also speculation that further action to deter motorhome owners from staying at the popular Newcastle car park could be taken.

Parking between midnight and 6am is prohibited under a council bye-law but it is being ignored and is a cause for concern for local authority officials.

A survey conducted at the start of the month revealed that 27 motorhomes were parked overnight at Castle Park in direct contravention of local authority legislation.

Council officials say the presence of the vehicles “generates significant risk” in terms of fire safety and traffic control.

Committee members will be told tonight that in order to improve these two key issues, it is proposed to install the temporary height restriction barriers.

Additional signage is also to be erected at the entrance to the car park to remind the public and motorhome owners of the parking bye-laws in force.

Several years ago in response to local concern, permanent height restriction barriers were installed at the entrance to the Downs Road and Glen River car parks in the resort to prevent motorhomes from entering them.

Plans were also drawn up to devise a new motorhome strategy to address concern about the number of vehicles taking up parking spaces not only in Newcastle, but across the district.

Local authority officials have previously met with senior representatives from the Department for Infrastructure, Tourism NI, motorhome user groups, Newcastle residents and the owners of local caravan parks and campsites to discuss the parking issue.

Meanwhile, as the countdown to the Irish Open continues and the arrival of some of the world’s top golfers, work is continuing at pace to have everything ready both on and off the Royal County Down course.

The local authority has been liaising with the DP World Tour alongside the PSNI, Department for Infrastructure and Translink on devising a traffic management plan to cope with the thousands of spectators making their way to the famous links course.

The tournament organiser has requested the use of the Downs Road car park, the closest one to the course, and the grass area at the rear of Donard Park.

A grass area at the Downs Road is also being reserved for people attending church services, while a park and ride scheme will be in operation at the outdoor Northfield Bible site at the Dundrum Road.

The parking area in Donard Park has been earmarked to be used by people travelling from Kilkeel into Newcastle via South Promenade, with access via an existing entrance at Shanslieve Drive.

Tour organisers have asked for the use of the Downs Road given its close proximity to Royal County Down and will be used for both parking and a -off area.

Tournament organisers are keen on utilising Downs Road car park as it significantly minimises the number of public crossing points over main roads for spectators attending the event who use the park and ride facility.

The plan is for the Downs Road car park to be for the use of sponsors, dignitaries and VIPs, while the strip of grassland is reserved for church parking and people attending what are being described as any “unforeseen events” such as funerals.