Parking fines are ‘stifling city’s trade’

Councillor Ronnie Crawford said shop owners were blaming the activities of traffic attendants as a major factor in driving them out of business.

However, according to latest statistics there were fewer fixed penalty notices issued in Lisburn City Centre this financial year, a drop of 13% on the previous year.

Figures released by the Department for Regional Development also show that Lisburn has dropped from the second most ticketed area in Northern Ireland to fourth, placed after Belfast, Londonderry and Craigavon.

Despite the decrease, Councillor Crawford still feels the 6,824 tickets issued was too many and has raised concerns on behalf of local retailers.

He said: “No doubt in some of those cases the penalty was merited if traffic flow was being obstructed, but more often that not the tickets are issued for not complying strictly with the time frames allotted.

“Shop owners in Lisburn cite the activity and inflexibility of the Traffic Wardens along with rates as the two factors driving them out of business. Traffic Wardens are creating a hostile environment for the shopping public, who are being driven in increasing numbers to out of town centres or to the Internet.“

Defending its stringent campaign though, the DRD pointed to ‘grace periods’ it provides so that drivers who have parked correctly will not be penalised for a minor inadvertent delay. They also say drivers have the right to appeal so those who have a valid reason won’t have to pay.

Concerned there is a drive by the Executive to increase revenue from parking charges regardless of the effect on the local economy, Councillor Crawford is disappointed MLAs have done little to oppose the large increase in the number of tickets issued in Northern Ireland and the increase in the penalty cost from £60 to £90.

He said: “On street car parking needs to be devolved to local councils who can moderate policy to suit the local economy.”

Councillor Crawford also called on the DRD to allow shoppers the first hour of car parking free of charge, but a DRD Roads Service spokeswoman said: “We cannot consider Lisburn in isolation and could not introduce the first hour free without taking into account all other charged parking.

“To provide the first hour free for all charged parking would require Roads Service to replace over 600 Pay & Display machines at more than £2.5m.

“In addition, it is estimated that approximately £3.2m would be lost in revenue income annually. In light of the very tight financial constraints on the Department’s budget such a scheme could not be considered at this time.”