Off-Street Car Parking Strategy For Newry, Mourne And Down

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is inviting interested stakeholders to share their views as part of the preparation of a strategy for its off-street car parks.

The purpose of this initial consultation is to provide the public with an opportunity to shape the development of the strategy.

Although in the very early stages of development, Council believes it will be beneficial to gain comments and feedback from as wide a range of local residents, businesses, community groups and other relevant stakeholders potentially interested in off-street car parking provision.

Views and comments are sought on a range of issues in relation to the existing service, including the number and availability of spaces, current tariffs, ease-of-use, accessibility or any other relevant points stakeholders consider important.

The strategy will consider off-street car parking provision within the District’s main settlements and make recommendations in relation to the number of spaces to be provided in each settlement, as well as options for the future use of tariffs. This will include the 41 off-street car parks that transferred to the Council from central government in April 2015, as well as the eight off-street car parks that were previously operated by the two predecessor Councils (Newry and Mourne District Council and Down District Council respectively).

The main settlements are:

•          Newry City
•          Ballynahinch
•          Castlewellan
•          Downpatrick
•          Kilkeel
•          Hilltown
•          Newcastle
•          Rostrevor
•          Saintfield
•          Warrenpoint

The Council has recently appointed Ove Arup & Partners Ltd (Arup) to prepare the strategy on its behalf, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2017.

Any comments and views should be emailed to Arup at belfast@arup.com by Friday 17 March 2017.

Subject to the Council identifying a preferred strategy, additional consultation will also be scheduled to ensure interested stakeholders have a further opportunity to feed into the process and before any decision is taken to implement.

Further information on the development of the strategy, can requested from:

Johnny McBride, Assistant Director: Strategic Planning and Performance

Telephone:   0300 013 2233

Email:          johnny.mcbride@nmandd.org

In writing:    Newry, Mourne & Down District Council

Downpatrick Office

Downshire Civic Centre

Downshire Estate

Ardglass Road

Downpatrick

BT30 6GQ