Charges proposed for one of the last remaining free town centre car parks in Carrickfergus

It was agreed behind closed doors at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council last month to commence a 12-week consultation process “as soon as possible”.

Charges are proposed for Carrickfergus Castle car park as well as three sites in Ballymena.

According to minutes, councillors were reminded by interim chief executive Valerie Watts the decision had “already been taken by council during the rates setting process”.

The minutes stated that members “expressed a number of concerns regarding the introduction of charges including the need for workers’ permits”.

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”.

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.

The council says this would “particularly benefit those availing of the facilities for working in the town centre”.

Carrickfergus Castle DUP Alderman Billy Ashe MBE said he wished to be recorded as against the proposal.

Charges are also to be introduced at two council-run sites at Mount Street and another at Broughshane Street, Ballymena.

A public consultation on those car parks took place for 21 days in accordance with car parking legislation, a council spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also stated that the Carrickfergus Castle car park was not “transferred” to council and as a result was not specified in the legislation. No date has been set for the introduction of charges at the location as a 12-week consultation is to be undertaken.

The spokesperson added: “Charges are being introduced to help offset the pressures council faced in keeping rates to as low as level as possible.”

Commenting on the proposal, Ald Ashe described any introduction of charges at the Castle Car Park as “counter productive”.

“I think it is a false economy and will affect our frontline tourism product.”

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter