Belfast residents' parking schemes report says they 'work to the benefit of communities'

A report on the implementation of residents' parking schemes has found "they can work to the benefit of communities" following a pilot programme in South Belfast.

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has announced the publication of The Residents’ Parking Review report which looked at a pilot scheme on Rugby Road in South Belfast to see whether or not it would have a beneficial impact on local residents and the community.

While noting that there were some issues with the scheme, such as its cost and the five year time period that it took to put in place, it found that the scheme was welcomed by local residents and "is viewed as successful from an operational perspective, as it has removed all day commuter parking from the area".

Read more: South Belfast residents parking scheme report to be published soon

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Welcoming the report, Minister O’Dowd said: “I am delighted that the Department’s review of the Rugby Road residents’ parking scheme is complete. It confirms that these schemes can work to the benefit of communities whose daily lives are blighted by all-day commuter parking.

“The review also looked at our approach to providing schemes and highlights some of the challenges that the Department has faced trying to deliver schemes. From the lessons learnt it sets out a pathway to make the delivery of schemes to help other communities more straightforward. More schemes will also help to persuade those who currently drive into our towns and cities and park all day, to use more active or sustainable modes of transport.

“Going forward my Department will continue to develop the schemes already commenced such as in the Bogside in Derry and Iveagh area of Belfast, and will give consideration to schemes to address the emerging pressures with on-street parking in the vicinity of the new Ulster University campus in Belfast and the Magee campus.

“I would also take the opportunity to ask all drivers to think about others when parking their vehicle. Inconsiderate parking, particularly when it is on the pavement, can negatively impact all pavement users forcing them into oncoming traffic, including people with disabilities, older people, children and people pushing prams, so please ‘Think Before You Park’.”

South Belfast SDLP councillor Gary McKeown has welcomed thee publication of the "long overdue" report on the parking scheme and hopes that the findings will lead to the roll-out of further schemes across Northern Ireland.

He said: "The publication of the review of residents' parking schemes is welcome, although nearly seven years after the pilot went live in South Belfast, it's long overdue. The findings clearly show that the scheme in operation behind Queen's has been successful, so we now need to see the roll-out of further schemes in areas where it could benefit local communities and where there is support from residents. We also need to see these take into account what has worked well and what could be changed.

"There is gridlock in Belfast on a daily basis, so programmes like this that can reduce traffic coming into residential areas in suburbs and close to the city centre and make life better for people living in those communities.

"However, residents' parking schemes won't solve everything and may not be appropriate for certain areas, so the learning from other cities and the need to invest in more effective public transport and better cycling infrastructure must be at the heart of next steps. It is also essential that communities are fully engaged in any plans for further schemes, and that problem parking isn't simply pushed from one area to another."

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