Welcome for two hour parking in Portglenone

Members at last Thursday night’s Public Sector Liaison Committee responded positively to the proposal of introducing time limited parking (a maximum stay of two hours) to certain areas in Main Street and Market Square of the town.

These suggestions had been put forward by Roads Service after meeting Portglenone Traders about all day parkers in the area. Members were told that these options were put to traders and have been welcomed.

Chair Declan O’Loan believes the proposals would make a difference, he said: “Local traders have been quite anxious for the problem to be addressed. “I think it will do a lot to help the situation, it is a village that is buzzing commercially and addressing parking issues will continue this.”

Councillor Paul Frew said: “I used to live on the main street and I know what it’s like. Parking all day like this hurts the traders and the people who live there.

help trade

“If this is a success in Portglenone, then this is something that could be proposed throughout Northern Ireland.”

Alderman Roy Gillespie welcomed this decision believing it will help traders, he said: “It is a very prosperous village and this would help the area.”

Roads service also propose to restrict traffic flows in Market Square to a one-way flow (from Gortgole Road) to improve traffic movements in the area of Portglenone. They also suggest the relocation of the current pedestrian crossing to further down Main Street, where it is considered that the greater number of pedestrians now cross, as well as changing it from a zebra to a pelican crossing.

Councillor Sam Hannah requested members write to the Roads Service to look at the parking situation in Broughshane, he said: “The same thing is happening in Broughshane, It’s not the people who live in Broughshane, it is people coming into the town.”

Members agreed with this idea, however O’Loan said they would be making it clear that traders and residents must be consulted first.