Northern Ireland

Council extends free parking until end of August

<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;; ">The move is expected to cost the council around &pound;250,000</span>
The move is expected to cost the council around £250,000 The move is expected to cost the council around £250,000

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has removed parking fees at its car parks until the end of August.

The decision is expected to cost the council around £250,000.

Speaking after it was confirmed, Lord Mayor Kevin Savage said: “Suspending car parking charges in support of our residents and businesses has been an important aspect of our strategy to help ‘Boost our Borough’.

“While we cannot suspend charges indefinitely, we will continue to offer free parking in council run car parks until September 1.

“This will be a welcome boost for local business owners who are trying to recover their client base, during particularly challenging economic times and as a council we want to offer our full support through this free parking initiative.”

DUP councillor Darryn Causby said he was delighted the council had been able to extend the initiative to the end of the summer.

“The Chamber of Commerce had been hopeful we would offer free parking until the end of July but this move will ensure that traders have the best opportunity to get back on their feet,” he said.

SDLP Councillor Joe Nelson also welcomed the proposal.

“It is a welcome development to try and boost our town centres for businesses. Personally, I am sure it is a move that will be very welcome in Lurgan,” he said.

Sinn Féin councillor Garath Keating also welcomed the announcement saying it is “vitally important that council does all it can to facilitate the return to people to shops and businesses in local towns”.

While welcoming the move, the UUP warned that “hard decisions will be coming down the line” as the council faces up to costs of the pandemic.

Ulster Unionist councillor Sam Nicholson also expressed concern that despite the best intentions, this scheme may be taken advantage of by those who commute from the borough’s towns to their place of work.

“I have been made aware that the current free parking which is available in our towns and city is being used as a type of park and ride facility,” he said.

“All our traders want to let the public know that our city and towns are very much open for business, to welcome shoppers and provide the best retail experience for them.

“Therefore I would urge everyone to help us by being more considerate in their use of the available car parking spaces within our city and towns”.