Traders concerned about town parking

Traders concerned about town parking

28 November 2018

A LACK of town centre parking spaces could drive shoppers out of Castlewellan, a local politician has warned.

The warning has been issued Slieve Croob councillor Roísín Howell following the latest in a series of public meeting across the district to discuss Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s controversial decision to hike car parking charges.

While it is free to park in Castlewellan, traders have expressed concern about the lack of parking spaces and fear the congestion will force people to shop elsewhere.

Consultants overseeing a series of roadshows to provide the public with an opportunity to have their say on the charge hike and general parking issues, told a recent meeting in Castlewellan that it could be up to three years before the problem is addressed in the town.

The local authority recently unveiled details of a three-pronged approach as part of a detailed consultation exercise on parking issues which has angered many within the business community.

Alongside planned public roadshows in Downpatrick, Newcastle, Ballynahinch, Castlewellan and Saintfield, council officials are also launching an online user survey.

In addition, data from car parks in Downpatrick and Ballynahinch  which experienced a 200 per cent price increase in the spring is being collated to determine the full impact the increase has had on the number of people using it.

The local authority has defended its decision to increase parking charges, insisting the move is necessary to generate additional revenue as it has been handed responsibility for the maintenance of 80 car parks across the Newry, Mourne and Down area. Previously, the Department for Infrastructure was responsible.

Cllr Howell has dismissed suggestions that it could take up to three years to provide additional parking spaces in Castlewellan and has pointed to available land at the Bann Road playing fields which, she believes, could be utilised to provide more spaces and ease town centre congestion.

She revealed consultants who recently addressed traders in the town claimed there was no immediate resolution to the congestion problem and that the business community would ultimately have to wait for up to three years before a solution could be found.

“It is an absolute nonsense to suggest that this issue cannot be dealt with in the months ahead,” declared Cllr Howell. “It is nothing but procrastination to allow this situation to sit for up to three years. 

“It is clear that many traders in Castlewellan are extremely concerned that customers will go elsewhere if the local authority does not urgently identify additional parking spaces.”

Cllr Howell appealed to council officials to “explore all possible options” including utilising the Bann Road site to alleviate what she described as a “worsening situation” as soon as possible.

She added: “I share traders’ hopes for a suitable, off-street car park that would not only alleviate the pressure on the town centre spaces, but could play a vital role in encouraging local commuters to park and share. 

“Significantly for time constraints, this option would not need the approval of the Department for Infrastructure as off-street parking is the responsibility of the local council alone.”