NW ‘free’ car parks targeted for charges

The Minister is targeting the 64-space ‘free’ car park in Londonderry as well as those at Limavady Main Street (71 spaces) and Strabane Upper Main Street (89) in a bid to generate £2.1m income from 28 off-street car parks across Northern Ireland.

Mr Kennedy confirmed that the local Railway Yard, Railway Station, Simpson’s Brae, Alfred Street and Claudy car parks will remain free but warned: “While there are no plans to introduce charges to these car parks in the 2011/12 financial year, the tariffs will be subject to yearly reviews and it is possible that charges may be introduced in certain car parks in future years.”

He stated: “My Department’s Roads Service is in the process of implementing an increase in car parking tariffs in charged car parks that was formally approved in July 2010.”

He added: “I would advise the Member that my Department’s Roads Service carries out an annual car park tariff review which considers the operation of each car park. In doing so, Roads Service will consider a number of the key factors to assist in determining if a car park should become charged, or have its tariff altered, including: the need to influence where drivers park, allowing for higher turnover of short stay spaces, and therefore increasing the availability of short stay parking in support of the commercial viability of the town centre; the need to make efficient use of the existing car park provision; the need for charges to reflect increased costs. For example, rates bills, which are a major component of the cost of operating a pay car park; and the need to fully recover the cost of providing the car park services.”

The move follows his decision last month not to proceed with plans to introduce on-street car parking following widespread opposition.

Announcing the reversal last month the Minister stated: “The proposal to roll out on-street charging was included in my Department’s Budget 2011-2015, and so I have to now find approximately £8.8million from other areas over the budget period, to make up the projected revenue lost from on-street parking.

“Given the pressures in all areas of my budget, this is a very difficult task, however, I am determined to minimise, as far as possible, the impact on frontline services in my Department.”

The Minister announced he proposes offsetting the shortfall with: £2million by greater efficiency within his Department; £2million reduction in Roads Service operational expenditure; £2.1million of income from off-street parking charges in provincial towns, and on-street charges in some cities; and £2.7million reduction in the subsidy paid to Translink.

He concluded: “This announcement, not to roll out new on-street parking charges demonstrates how a local Minister listens to the views of local people and delivers outcomes which reflect their needs. I hope traders across Northern Ireland will welcome the decision I have taken today.”