Survey finds Carrickfergus traders in favour of pedestrianisation

They have been responding to a town centre pedestrian survey organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council after concerns were raised to the Town Centre Recovery Group over onstreet parking during lockdown.

Onstreet parking enforcement had been relaxed at the time which presented problems to traders who had experienced difficulty accessing their premises.

The issue was highlighted at Market Place, in particular, where cars had been parked on the pedestrianised thoroughfare in what had been described as “an ongoing and dangerous issue” with up to 17 vehicles observed on one occasion. Read here

It was expected that the return of parking attendants to Carrickfergus town centre would deter motorists from using streets as a “carpark”.

In response, a survey was carried out among 83 businesses to assess pedestrian access, accessibility and parking. The majority of respondents were from High Street, Market Place, High Street and North Street.

Seventy-eight per cent considered pedestrian access to be good or very good, traffic enforcement, 56 per cent and disability access, 51 per cent.  Parking was described as poor by 49 per cent, loading bays, 41 per cent and taxi ranks, 29 per cent.

Respondents most wanted to change free parking, 22 per cent; more spaces for disabled drivers, 10 per cent; parking outside shops and businesses, eight per cent and loading/unloading and access for businesses outside shops, eight per cent.

Council officers are now to engage with traders and Department for Infrastructure to find solutions to issues raised.

Kevin Wilson, vice chairman, of Carrickfergus Town Centre Partnership, said: “A few traders met with police and council officials a few weeks ago and parking regulations were looked at.  We now think we have the correct balance.”

Speaking at a meeting of the council’s Borough Growth Committee, on Monday evening, however, Carrick DUP Alderman Billy Ashe MBE said he did not believe the issue had been “adequately resolved”.

Ulster Unionist Carrick Councllor Robin Stewart said he was concerned “somebody is going to be killed” as a result of drivers turning right from the bottom of North Street into Market Place where there is no right turn and then “zooming” along.

“Somebody is going to be wiped out. We need to get the PSNI involved and stop this illegal turn into Market Place.”

Ald Ashe noted that it has been an “ongoing problem for many years”.

“I do not think it has been adequately resolved,” he stated.

“The traders themselves have to come to a common position on it. It is a difficult scenario but one worth continuing to work for.”

He asked for the matter to be brought back to the council next month.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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