Barriers to keep motor home owners out of two car parks in Newcastle will be in place before the end of next month.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has now placed an order for the new barriers.
As Armagh I reported last month, the situation had been described as “significantly problematic” and led to council considering installing height restriction barriers.
A recommendation to that effect went to the April meeting of the council’s regulatory and technical services committee and was approved at the monthly meeting.
Council provisionally agreed last September to conduct research on the issue pertaining to motor homes using car parks in the coastal resort.
Two sites were identified as requiring action – Downs Road and Glen River – or Patten’s Bridge car parks.
Donard car park, meanwhile, will be reconfigured to provide six dedicated bays for motor homes.
The barriers will incorporate a silhouette of the Mourne Mountains in keeping with the ‘aesthetic appreciation’ of the area.
In an update to the May meeting of the regulatory and technical services committee – due to take place next week – a report informs councillors: “The bespoke barriers were more expensive than the basic barrier but the proposal was made on the basis of maintaining and enhancing the seafront location of the car parks which were in an area of outstanding natural beauty and also to reflect the huge investment of the legacy Down Council in upgrading the promenade.”
A total of three barriers have been made ordered.
All work is to be complete before the end of June, committee will be told.
