New parkingplan delayed until 2013

A NEW scheme to control parking for the benefit of residents of Londonderry’s Bogside is not now set to be delivered until the middle of 2013, at least two years behind schedule, according to Roads Minister Danny Kennedy.

Residents of the estate near Londonderry city centre have been campaigning for a parking scheme for people living in the area since 2007.

But although erstwhile Roads Minister Conor Murphy promised in 2010 that the scheme would be up and running by 2011 his successor Mr Kennedy said legal niceties have delayed the project until the middle of Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013.

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He explained the Bogside plan was one of a number being developed province-wide and that each separate development would require its own unique legislation, hence the hold-up.

“The Residents’ Parking Scheme proposed for the Bogside area of Londonderry is one of a number of such schemes being developed in parallel by my Department’s Roads Service.

“These proposed schemes are the first for Northern Ireland, and as such, it is important that all the issues relating to operation and enforcement are fully addressed and accurately provided for in the legislation before moving to implementation.

“While the underlying aim for each scheme is the same i.e. parking being controlled for the benefit of residents, there will be slight differences in the operation of each scheme to reflect local circumstances and each will need to be legislated for separately.”

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Mr Kennedy also said a number of technological advancements have been achieved since Residents’ Parking was first considered by Roads Service, such as the potential for the automation of permits.

He said the “enforcement of such permits would have an impact on how the schemes will operate and Roads Service is assessing the legislative implications arising from such developments.”

“Roads Service will continue to progress the Residents’ Parking Schemes and the associated legislation as quickly as possible and anticipates that schemes will be delivered mid-late 2013,” he stated.