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In a somewhat strange press release, Sinn Féin, on Monday, called on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to introduce a ‘robust’ car parking strategy for Newry city centre - but the thing is, that council strategy already exists.
They also want the council to find additional car parking areas in Newry - but they too are already there.
And they claim decisions around car parking, that have already been made, haven’t been made at all.
Not only that, but Sinn Féin says it will table a Notice of Motion at council which, upon reading, is calling for things that are in place, or have previously been recommended by consultants, but then ignored.
The worrying thing is, the press release exposes a lack of knowledge and understanding of the detail behind the multi-million pounds, ratepayer-funded Newry city centre regeneration projects.
Add to that is the fact it was issued on behalf of those tasked withmaking major project decisions on the public’s behalf.
Car parking
Sinn Féin has called on the council to “develop a robust car parking strategy for the city centre” stating they “are aware of some concerns and speculation in relation to local car parking” and adding; “As it stands,no decision has been made in relation to the key sites being discussed.”
“Sinn Féin acknowledges the need for a good quantity of car parking spaces in our city centre, especially for workers, shoppers and worshippers at our various places of worship,” the statement reads.
“It is with that in mind that we are calling on the council to develop a robust car parking strategy for our city centre.
“This needs to identify new sites, explore all options and provide adequate parking for workers, shoppers and worshippers.”
Bit of a problem
Here is where there is a bit of problem for Sinn Féin - a council car parking strategy already exists for Newry City centre. It was put before councillors, including Sinn Féin, in January 2022.
It is unclear why the party would be calling for another car parking strategy just two years later.
As for identifying new city centre car parking sites, five new council owned sites have already been identified and they are included in the SYSTRA car park survey that was carried out for the council in November 2023 - the findings given to the council in January 2024.
This is the same SYSTRA report that says there is adequate parking in Newry City centre and no new car parks are needed.
Decisions
As for decisions, they have been made by councillors - including Sinn Féin - in relation to the recently lodged planning application for a free council staff car park in Cecil Street - with shuttle service - for those working in the proposed new council offices.
Those decisions, that there was to be no off-site parking for the new council offices, were taken by councillors in April, May, August and September 2020.
Based on the council’s decision-making process, the 2020 decisions still stand as they have not been overturned. However, someone made thedecision to plan, bring in consultants and lodge a planning application for Cecil Street, but who, remains the question.
On North Street, a decision was taken by someone, who exactly is unclear, to prepare and lodge a planning application for a 301-space car park which includes pay and display facilities. To say no decisions have been made is inaccurate.
Motion
In the Sinn Féin Notice of Motion, it states: “This Council recognises concerns and speculation in relation to car parking, especially in Newry city centre. We call, therefore, for a robust city centre parking strategy to be developed by Council.
This strategy should consider and prioritise:
Some more problems
On the first two points, the answers are already there - in the previously mentioned SYSTRA November 2023 car parking survey and findings.
On the third point, and councillors involved in the projects should know this, the council is already working with the Departments for Infrastructure and Communities on future traffic, public transport and car parking provision across Newry while multi-storey car park options were put before councillors in April 2020.
On the fourth point, is this idea just being thrown out there? Has Sinn Féin sat down and thought through the costs of putting such a scheme in place across the district or the eligibility etc?
On the fifth and final point, a consultant’s review into the governance of the Newry regeneration projects in 2021, recommended such a communication and engagement plan.
Councillors saw that report then and again recently, so they will know thefindings and recommendations made to improve communications have been ignored.
Sinn Féin has been given the opportunity to respond to the issues raised around their press release but so far, the party has failed to reply.
