Petition in opposition to charges at car park beside historic Carrickfergus Castle

It was agreed at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim borough council last month to commence a 12-week consultation process “as soon as possible” on the proposal.

According to council minutes, however, the decision had “already been taken by council during the rates setting process”, councillors were told.

They were told officers would review costs for monthly and quarterly parking in relation to concerns raised “in respect of parking for town centre workers in the borough’s three main towns”.

Charges are also to be introduced at three council-run car parks in Ballymena town centre – two at Mount Street and another at Broughshane Street.

At last month’s meeting of the council’s Environment and Economy Committee, councillors agreed to the introduction of an all-day parking ticket for workers at a cost of £2.50 and a six-monthly fee of £250 with consideration to be given for a quarterly charge at a number of council-owned car parks in Mid and East Antrim.

On Wednesday, Carrickfergus and Knockagh’s 10 elected representatives issued a joint statement voicing their opposition to charging at one of the last remaining free car parks in the town centre.

The statement says: “Mid and East Antrim Borough Council have announced their intention to introduce parking charges to Castle Car Park in Carrickfergus.

People Working

“All ten Carrickfergus councillors are absolutely against the introduction of any charges to this car park which is used by local people working and shopping in our town centre as well as those visiting the town.

“We feel that placing additional costs on working families especially during the current cost of living crisis is nothing short of scandalous as well as the potential damage to our front-line tourism product. We want to assure our constituents that we are united on this issue and will be fighting it at every available opportunity.”

An online petition opposing any car parking charges at the site by the council, established by Knockagh DUP Councillor Marc Collins, has attracted more than 360 signatures after just a few hours.

One of those who has voiced opposition is hotelier Kirsty Fallis, of Dobbins Inn, who commented: “As a business owner in the town, over the years I have seen changes come and go, charges put into place over time and a reduction in footfall on all the town centre streets.

“Applying charges to the main free car park in our town will potentially lead to job losses and even more reduction in footfall. The coaches that park at the castle car park to let off the tourist to go see the castle would potentially now not even stop and just drive on past.

“People who work in the town use this car park and I would be certain that they can’t afford to pay for a full day of parking. This really must not be allowed to happen. I hope that the councillors will all voted in get behind this and do all in their power to prevent it from taking place.”

A council spokesperson said earlier this week: “Charges are being introduced to help offset the pressures council faced in keeping rates to as low as level as possible.”

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter