‘Free’ alternative parking when Carrickfergus harbour site is hosting events

Carrick harbour car park. Image by Google.

The decision will mean that other carparks in the town centre, such as Lancasterian Street or High Street, will be free to use when the harbour site is closed to the public.

Carrick DUP Councillor Marc Collins said that this will apply during events such as The Royal Landing and Learning Disability Pride, for example and for the duration of visiting funfairs which will continue to be allowed to occupy the Castle carpark.

Council officers had been asked to explore other options to the site for visiting funfairs.

Cllr Collins noted that the Castle carpark, the largest free carpark in the town, can be “out of action” for motorists for a number of weeks when funfairs are in town.

In a statement issued by Cllr Collins following a recent discussion by the council’s Direct Services Committee, he said that he and Ulster Unionist Councillor Robin Stewart proposed that the council continues to provide “unrestricted access” to Castle carpark for events but also “commits to providing additional, accessible, free parking in the town centre when the carpark is being used by these events”.

He added: “Events at the Castle carpark are good for the town centre, bringing increased footfall and visitors to the town, and organisers love the location, with the famous castle providing a dramatic backdrop to any event.”

He accused the Alliance Party of “attempting to drive some of these events out of the town centre”.

Knockagh Alliance representative Alderman Noel Williams explained previously: “It was not that they (funfairs) were directed out of town. The officers were asked to see if they could establish some other appropriate accommodation or area within the town but certainly not taking the carpark for four weeks or possibly eight weeks.”

Commenting on an application to bring a funfair to the Castle Carpark during the Covid pandemic, Ald Williams added: “We would not approve that particular funfair and officers would look at possible alternatives for staging future funfairs.”

Carrick Ulster Unionist Councillor Robin Stewart has said that as someone who has two businesses in the town, the Castle carpark should “in no way be ruled out”.

Read previous story on the subject here

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

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