Call for meeting over parking issues

At a recent meeting of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Economic Development and Regeneration Committee members agreed to set up a Car Parking Working Group, which is due to meet early in the new year.

The proposals were put forward by Alderman Ian Burns, who said there had to be a ‘degree of flexibility’ from traffic attendants.

He said that he had received a lot of complaints about the attitude of traffic attendants in the Banbridge area, both in car parks and on the main street. He argued that if flexibility were shown by the traffic attendants, it would go a long way to promote Banbridge rather than potentially drive shoppers and businesses out of the town.

Alderman Carla Lockhart agreed there needed to be a degree of flexibility, but reminded members they had been content to start negotiating with NSL for a further three-year contract; something they needed to keep in mind in their discussions with them.

She said they needed to be cautious and it was about achieving the right balance.

Alderman Speers said he had raised the issue some time ago and would support the request for a meeting with NSL.

He said there had to be what he described as some degree of ‘common sense.’

Alderman Burns reminded councillors that with the transfer of car parks to the Council from Transport NI, the Council also had responsibility for enforcement within car parks, which was managed through a contract with NSL.