Loading bays should be open to shoppers businessman urges

Loading bays should be open to shoppers businessman urges

19 December 2012

ONE of Downpatrick’s longest serving businessmen wants shoppers to be allowed to park in the town’s dedicated loading bays at weekends.

Mr. Tom Gibney said very few businesses receive deliveries on a Saturday so allowing loading bays in Market Street and St. Patrick’s Avenue to be used for an hour by shoppers would provide a major boost for the business community.

The businessman 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.

Mr. Gibney has written to Down Council and enclosed a petition signed by 58 other traders calling for the loading bays to be used by shoppers not just this Saturday, but every weekend.

“There needs to be a change in legislation governing what vehicles can park in loading bays. Currently, only those displaying a PSV licence can do so, but this means the loading bays are virtually deserted at the weekend,” he explained.

“Allowing shoppers to park in the loading bays for a maximum of one hour would encourage them to shop in Downpatrick. There is a feeling within the business community that traffic wardens in the town are driving shoppers elsewhere.”

Mr. Gibney said he and many of his colleagues believe there’s a need for a common sense approach when it comes to dealing with the parking issue.

“Loading bays could be used by shoppers on Saturdays and there’s no reason why this can’t happen,” he suggested. “I and others don’t believe what we are asking for is unreasonable. In fact, it provides an opportunity to create more town centre parking spaces.”

Mr. Gibney has also backed calls by local councillor Dermot Curran for a relaxation of parking restrictions in the town centre this Saturday which is traditionally the busiest day of the year for traders.

The local politician has written to Stormont Environment Minister Danny Kennedy requesting that shoppers are allowed to park for longer this weekend, not just in Downpatrick, but in Newcastle and Ballynahinch town centres.

Councillor Curran wants one-hour parking restrictions extended by 60 minutes and hopes Mr. Kennedy will agree to the move and make sure traffic wardens are informed and don’t treat parkers with an iron fist.

The local politician hopes the roads minister will agree with the suggestion to encourage people to shop locally this festive season.

He added: “The last Saturday before Christmas is traditionally the busiest of the year and relaxing parking restrictions would reflect the season of goodwill

“In previous years, the Department for Regional Development has relaxed parking restrictions in other parts of Northern Ireland and I believe Mr. Kennedy should agree to relax parking restrictions in the district’s three main towns.”