Pay and display meters for Whiteabbey village

THE Department for Regional Development has confirmed that pay and display charging will be introduced at the car park in Whiteabbey village from early June.

Several local business owners and political representatives have been pushing for parking charges to be introduced in the village in a bid to deter ‘all day parkers’ and free up spaces for customers wanting to park close to shops and offices.

This week, Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy confirmed that on-street parking charges will not be introduced in Whiteabbey, but added that from early June the Shore Road car park beside the Presbyterian Church will be pay and display.

“As part of the 2011 budget plans Roads Service is proposing to introduce car parking charges in one Roads Service car park in Whiteabbey, which was previously free,” Mr Kennedy explained.

“Under the proposals a charge of 20 pence per hour will be introduced from early June in the Shore Road car park.

“I have ensured that there is free off-street or on-street car parking in most towns/villages across Northern Ireland, which includes 25 free car parking spaces at 487 Shore Road. The off-street car park may be a walk from the village centre, but offers a free alternative to charged parking.”

Mr Kennedy stressed that the introduction of a car parking tariff will encourage turnover of parking spaces, helping to improve traffic management and promote the commercial and tourist vitality of the village.

Meanwhile, the Minister also confirmed this week that ‘Penalty Charge Notice’ fines for those who park illegally will be increased from £60 to £90 from early June.