No immediate review of car parking charges

No immediate review of car parking charges

4 July 2018

AN immediate review into the controversial decision to hike car parking charges across the district will not be as immediate as first thought, it has emerged.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council agreed last month to order an urgent probe in the wake of increasing concern about the local authority’s decision to hike charges by 200% at car parks in Downpatrick and Ballynahinch.

The review had been due to take place in October but the local authority agreed it needed to be brought forward after business owners warned the move — taken in April without detailed public consultation —  was driving shoppers away.

In addition, homeowners in a number of residential areas in Downpatrick have revealed increasing numbers of shop and office workers are leaving their vehicles outside their homes.

There is also anger that while charges in Downpatrick and Ballynahinch have risen to 40 pence per hour, increasing the cost of a weekly parking ticket to almost £20, parking in Newcastle, Saintfield and Castlewellan remains free.

The local authority has consistently defended the move to hike parking charges, insisting it is necessary to generate additional income as the organisation has been handed responsibility for the maintenance of 80 car parks across its area. Previously, the Department for Infrastructure was responsible.

Since the charges were introduced, there has been a significant decrease in the numbers using the Scotch Street and Church Street car parks in Downpatrick, while the Irish Street car park in the town is not as busy as it once was. There has also been a major decrease in usage at the Windmill Street car park in Ballynahinch.

Given the immediate review was ordered last month, it was hoped worked would start right away, but it is not expected to get underway until August or possibly September. Local authority officials have a lot of people to speak to and compile figures from the various car parks since charges were increased, with the exercise expected to take time to complete.

Council chief executive, Liam Hannaway, confirmed at the local authority’s monthly meeting on Monday night that the review process will be set out at the next meeting of the Regulatory and Technical Services Committee.

He said information required to be gathered and while no definitive timeframe was in place, it was 

likely that a date to commence the review will be confirmed next month. The consultation will involve traders.

The decision to order the review sooner than expected was taken following concern raised by Downpatrick councillor Gareth Sharvin.

A number of traders in Downpatrick reported a decrease in takings within days of the charges being introduced and expressed concern that car parks in Newcastle, Castlewellan and Saintfield were free to use.

Cllr Sharvin said the increased charges have had a “detrimental impact” on Downpatrick in particular, with once busy car parks now literally lying empty throughout the day.

In addition, Cllr Sharvin said people in some parts of the town can no longer park outside their homes as the spaces are being used by those who used the car parks before the price hike.

He added: “The review must consider are the charges fair and if there is equality across the district when it comes to car parking” These are key questions and the impact the price hike has had on businesses must also be fully explored.”