The issue of free parking in Newry has been raised yet again, after local representatives have been left waiting more than a year for action.
In Assembly on Tuesday November 11, SDLP Justin McNulty MLA made a statement on Newry’s controlled parking zone status.
Mr. McNulty highlighted how Newry has the highest number of tickets issued per capita in the North, adding that 763 Penalty Charge Notices were successfully appealed in the Newry, Mourne, and Down Council area.
“The fact that such a large number of these tickets were able to be successfully overturned further emphasises just how excessively these charges are meted out,” said the MLA.
Allowing for areas with free parking based on certain time limits is important for uplifting local businesses by encouraging people to visit the City Centre without fear of receiving a parking charge.
McNulty said: “My colleagues, Councillors Doire Finn and Killian Feehan, brought the issue of free parking in Newry to Council in July 2024, and it is disappointing that we are still waiting for action over a year later.”
Cllr Finn emphasised the importance of “welcoming people to shop at Newry businesses, especially during the busy holiday season,” while Cllr Feehan pointed to the “importance of making it as easy as possible for people to get to their work and do their bits and pieces about the town without worrying about parking tickets.”
McNulty ended his statement by urging the Minister for Infrastructure to follow through on her past statements committing to a one hour free parking trial in Newry:
“I am calling for the Minister for Infrastructure to stick to her word, to reconsider the controlled parking zone status of Newry.
“I strongly urge the Minister to support the trial one hour free parking in Newry to still achieve the goals of parking turnover and sharing of urban spaces, while allowing people sufficient time to park and enjoy the city without charge.”
