'Nightmare scenario'

At last Tuesday night's meeting members were asked for their views on a proposal from DRD. A one hour waiting restriction between 9pm and

9am has already been imposed at the site, but in a bid to stamp out the problem, the Department wants to enclose the parking area with a kerb and restrict vans by a height barrier.

This would mean that 40 spaces would be lost in the car park.

Councillors had mixed views on the proposal. Portrush councillor Christine Alexander described the situation, as a 'nightmare scenario'.

She said: "There are arguments for and against this.

"Businesses rely on van owners, yet at the same time so do site owners."

Councillor Alexander went on to question the need for 'physical' restrictions. She said: "I don't understand the need for these

physical measures when it is illegal to park between 9pm and 9am anyway."

Director of Technical Services, Dessie Wreath, responded to councillor Alexander saying: "The problem occurs at the weekend when the place is

totally cluttered and there is no room for cars."

He added that height restrictions were in place in other car parks in the resort.

DUP councillor Sandy Gilkinson welcomed the proposal saying: "These vans take up the whole area.

"They bring nothing to the town, they just want somewhere to park. I think the barrier is a good idea."

The Mayor, councillor Norman Hillis, said: "This is a car park not a campsite.

"It is frightening down there sometimes. I would be a millionaire if they had all left me business in my shop.

"During the Pipe Band Championships it was wall to wall vans."

UUP councillor David Barbour agreed with the Mayor: " We want to see the economy booming, but this is not right."

DUP councillor Adrian McQuillan was in favour of the restriction but felt that two barriers would be enough to prevent the problem without kerbing off the area and losing 40 parking spaces.

Councillor Alexander added:" These barriers will just make life easier for DRD, they should police the area instead of spending all this money on these restrictions. DRD is passing this problem to us."

Director of Environmental Health, Kieran Doherty, told the meeting that the vans were a 'health and safety risk'.

He said: " On caravan sites there are certain restrictions about water supply and separation distance."

Mr Doherty suggested that members could go back to DRD and ask them to look at other options.

On being put to a vote, members agreed to ask DRD to reconsider the options.