Councillors give backing for Downpatrick parkers

Councillors give backing for Downpatrick parkers

1 January 2013

A PROPOSAL by a Downpatrick businessman to allow shoppers to park in the town’s dedicated loading bays at weekends has secured the backing of Down Council.

Politicians have described the suggestion by Mr. Tom Gibney as “innovative” and believe it’s a common sense approach to creating much-needed town centre parking spaces.

Shortly before Christmas, members of the council’s Corporate Services Committee agreed to write to Stormont Roads Minster Danny Kennedy seeking approval for the businessman’s suggestion to be implemented.

Politicians hope it is only a matter of time before the loading bays can double up as parking areas at weekends to make it easier for shoppers to access local businesses.

Mr. Gibney’s proposal has already secured the support of 58 other Downpatrick business owners.

He argues that allowing loading bays in Market Street and St. Patrick’s Avenue to be used for an hour by shoppers on a Saturday would provide a major boost for the business community.

Mr. Gibney believes three cars could park in each of the loading bays which would mean nine vehicles every hour. He said over the course of the day, this would provide over 70 additional parking spaces in the town centre.

Councillor Colin McGrath said the loading bay in Market Street and two others in St. Patrick’s Avenue took up “quite a bit of space.

He said with the majority of deliveries to businesses taking place from Monday to Friday, the loading bay space could be put to an effective use on Saturdays.

He continued: “Mr. Gibney has made a timely and very sensible suggestion which will lead to the creation of additional parking spaces on two or our busiest streets which can only be good for shoppers and traders.

“We need to raise this issue with Minister Kennedy and hopefully loading bays can be utilised as parking areas at weekends,” he added. Councillor Carmel O’Boyle said it was her understanding that shoppers can park in dedicated loading bays in Newcastle on a Saturday.

“We need to seek clarification on this issue and if this in fact the case in the resort, then it should be allowed to happen in other towns,” she added.

Councillor Garth Craig said allowing shoppers to park in loading bays in Ballynahinch would assist shoppers and traders and would be a welcome move.

Councillor Robert Burgess said he would support any moves to increase parking spaces for shoppers to provide a boost for many hard-pressed businesses in towns and villages across the district.