Traders call for parking ban as work affects trade

Traders call for parking ban as work affects trade

21 February 2018

HARD-PRESSED business owners in Crossgar have called for a ban on all-day parkers in the heart of the village.

Traders say the double whammy of disruption to trade caused by work to lay a new mains gas pipeline and all-day parkers eating up valuable spaces that could be used by shoppers is hitting them in the pocket. 

They say disruption as a result of work on the new pipeline as part of a £60m investment by Phoenix Gas to bring mains gas to nine towns and villages across East Down has brought into sharp focus the need to ban all-day parkers.

Traders say some people leave their cars outside business premises before boarding buses to Belfast for work, while they are aware of others who leave their cars in the village, remove suit cases from the boot and take the bus to the airport to go on holiday.

Phoenix Gas started work on the new pipeline on February 12, with some businesses reporting that the arrival of contractors coincided with a major dip in takings.

Planned deliveries had to be cancelled and there was concern that a large section of Downpatrick Street had been effectively sealed off with no steps taken to provide access to businesses for disabled customers.

Business owners Roger Magee, Joanne Donnelly and Shaunagh Crowe, who are based in Downpatrick Street, say that while the disruption caused by work on the new pipeline isn’t helping trade, their main focus is a ban on all-day parkers.

They are urging the Department of Infrastructure to limit parking outside business premises.

Mr Magee said it was his understanding that 30 metre sections of roadway would be dug up to lay the gas pipe and then filled in, explaining there was a 230 metre section opened last week, part of which was outside two of his family businesses.

He said there was also concern work started at the top end of Downpatrick Street and not at the mini roundabout at the bottom, as originally planned.

“It would have been nice to be informed the work schedule had changed,” he said. “People understand this work has to happen but there could be better communication with the business community already battling the issue of the all-day parkers.

“Roads officials do not consider all-day parking to be an issue in Crossgar, but it is and it is impacting on businesses across the village. The work by Phoenix has exacerbated the problem. The introduction of limited parking, similar to the scheme which operates in nearby Saintfield, would help.”

Mrs Crowe described business as “quieter than normal” and backed calls for the introduction of limited parking in parts of the village.

“While the work by Phoenix has caused problems, the wider issue for the business community is certainly the impact of all-day parkers. We have had to cancel deliveries this week with the goods remaining in a warehouse which is very inconvenient,” she added.

Ms Donnelly, who runs the Wax Factor Beauty Salon, said a number of customers cancelled appointments last week as access to her business was severely hampered by contractors laying the new pipeline.

“I have been in business in Crossgar for 20 years and while things went well initially when contractors dug up the road, a huge section has been left open and not been filled in. Why is this the case? All-day parking is a major problem and unless you are in business or live and work in the village, you don’t know how bad things really are,” she added.

A Department for Infrastructure spokeswoman said officials were in contact with Phoenix Gas and aimed to keep disruption to a minimum. 

“The issue of all day parkers has been raised on previous occasions with the Department mainly in relation to residential areas rather than the main street where the roadworks are currently taking place,” she said.

“Whilst the Department has no current proposals to introduce limited waiting in Crossgar, it is considering potential park and ride sites on main arterial routes to Belfast, including in Crossgar, which would help to address this issue. Future progression of such schemes is subject to available finances, agreement with Translink and the successful acquisition of land.”

A Phoenix Gas spokeswoman said the work in Downpatrick Street and Downpatrick is expected to last for around eight weeks.

“As with any infrastructure project of this size, disruption is inevitable,” she said. “However, Phoenix has engaged extensively with key stakeholders in Crossgar and is in continued communication to help ensure a smooth programme of works and minimise disruption to the area.

“As part of this engagement, Phoenix is focused on mitigating against unnecessary disruption and is pleased to be working with individual traders on a daily basis to support and accommodate specific requirements where possible.”