Drivers reminded to ‘Think before you park’ as new parking restrictions come into operation

The Department for Infrastructure is again reminding all drivers to ‘Think before You Park’ ahead of the introduction of new parking restrictions which come into operation on Friday 3 November.

The Department treats vehicles parked in contravention of parking restrictions very seriously with Traffic Attendants employed across Northern Ireland to help keep traffic moving freely and safely.  Parking on pavements is a particular area of concern.  Drivers often mistakenly think they are doing the right thing by keeping the road clear but fail to consider the needs of people on the footway causing them inconvenience and often putting them in danger.  This is a particular risk for people with disabilities, older people, children and people pushing prams who may have to go onto the road to get around the parked cars.   

The new restrictions coming into force on Friday 3 November 2023 will help to address this issue by prohibiting parking wholly or partly on a footway at a number of specific locations.  This includes footways adjacent to:

• a bus lane;
• the limits of any bus stop in a lay-by or any bus stop as delineated by markings on the carriageway at any time;
• the limits of any bus stand in a lay-by or any bus stand as delineated by markings on the carriageway at any time;
• the limits of any mandatory cycle lane as delineated by markings on the carriageway at any time; and
• the limits of any mandatory school keep clear as delineated by markings on the carriageway at any time. 

The Rule also revokes and re-enacts existing prohibitions on footways.

All vehicles found to be in breach of the new restrictions will receive a £90 Penalty Charge Notice, discounted to £45 if paid within 14 days. 

Drivers are urged to abide by the new rules and to show consideration at all times when parking to ensure they are not causing an obstruction and inconvenience to others.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has made a Statutory Rule entitled “The Footways (Prohibition of Waiting) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023”, (S.R. 2023 No. 173), which comes into operation on 3rd November 2023.
2. The order will prohibit parking wholly or partly on a footway adjacent to:

• a bus lane;
• the limits of any bus stop in a lay-by or any bus stop as delineated by markings on the carriageway at any time;
• the limits of any bus stand in a lay-by or any bus stand as delineated by markings on the carriageway at any time;
• the limits of any mandatory cycle lane as delineated by markings on the carriageway at any time; and
• the limits of any mandatory school keep clear as delineated by markings on the carriageway at any time.

3. The order also revokes and re-enacts existing prohibitions on footways which include:

• on a footway adjacent to a clearway or a controlled area at Zebra, Pelican and Puffin crossings;
• on a central reservation adjacent to a clearway;
• on a cycle track adjacent to a clearway; or
• on a verge adjacent to a controlled area at Zebra, Pelican and Puffin crossings.

4. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
5. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
6. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra, on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructre and on Linked In at Department for Infrastructure.

Share this page