Write a commentNewry Councillor Liz Kimmins has called for people to respect local residents when they are parking their vehicles in Newry.
Discussing an ongoing parking issue Cllr Kimmins explained “Over the last number of months I have been working with local residents and the relevant statutory bodies to deal with on-going parking problems in the Thomas Street/Pool lane area and on the Dublin Road and along Flagstaff Road.
"Cars parked have been causing serious difficulties for local residents such as blocking footpaths and access to houses and businesses.
"I have repeatedly asked the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to assess these locations to try and resolve the issues.
"An assurance has been given by DfI that they are carrying out a feasibility exercise for additional park and ride facilities for the Dublin Road area. The Department also states that Officers are currently assessing Pool Lane and Thomas Street to determine what can be done to alleviate this problem”.
The PSNI have also been involved in trying to alleviate the problems caused by illegal parking.
“The PSNI have previously issued leaflets highlighting the implications of parking on footpaths as warning to those responsible however as this problem has not been resolved.
"Consequently, they have now advised that they will be instructing their officers and the traffic wardens to patrol these areas going forward, and fixed penalty notices will be issued to anyone found to be parked illegally or blocking footpaths.
"Whilst it is regrettable that this has had to happen, the people living in these areas are being adversely affected by those parking inconsiderately and there are serious safety issues for pedestrians, in particular wheelchair users, who all too often are forced out on to the main roads, for example the extremely busy Dublin Road, when trying to get around these parked cars on the footpaths."
Concluding the local Councillor said “The health and safety of the whole community must be paramount and I would therefore ask all motorists to be mindful of this and to respect those people living in these areas”.
