Northern Ireland

Officials from Newry, Mourne and Down Council to meet Roads Service over Bloody Bridge congestion

The overflow car park at Donard Park in Newcastle, Co Down has also been causing problems for the council. Picture Mal McCann.
The overflow car park at Donard Park in Newcastle, Co Down has also been causing problems for the council. Picture Mal McCann. The overflow car park at Donard Park in Newcastle, Co Down has also been causing problems for the council. Picture Mal McCann.

COUNCIL officials in Down are to hold talks with the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in a bid to find a solution to a congestion issue on one of the busiest roads in Newcastle.

The picturesque Bloody Bridge area outside the seaside town draws visitors and Mourne hill walkers all year round however when the council-owned car park is full, drivers park along the nearby Kilkeel Road, effectively reducing it to one lane.

On a number of occasions, residents living in the area have taken to social media to vent their frustration amid claims the parked cars hamper their efforts to get out of their own driveways, and also blocks pedestrian access, particularly for those with prams.

Residents have repeatedly called for additional parking to be made available in the area in a bid to reduce congestion and make the area safer.

There have also been calls for double yellow lines to be provided to deter the on-road parking and for a nearby field be used as an overspill car park.

It has now emerged that Newry, Mourne and Down council officials are to hold talks with Roads Service staff about the issue.

Sinn Fein councillor Willie Clarke said the "continuing issue of vehicles parking on the main road close to the car park needs to be addressed."

Mr Clarke told the Down Recorder the "car park is in council ownership and during bank holidays and at other times of the year, the area is particularly busy and congested".

"Roads officials and the council need to work together to help improve the situation for the benefit of all road users and people who live in the area. I believe it is important that those involved get together to discuss potential solutions to the problems", he said.

This is the latest car parking headache for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council who also recently admitted it was "considering options" around opening times at an overspill car park in the town's Donard Park after visitors complained they had to pay to get their cars out.

A spokesman for the council said it "will discuss the ongoing issue of parking at Bloody Bridge with DfI Roads".