Roads Minister confirms residents’ parking scheme for south Belfast

Roads Minister Chris Hazzard has announced a residents’ parking scheme in the College Park Avenue / Rugby Road area of south Belfast.

The scheme, which will include a combination of parking spaces for residents and pay and display spaces, will move to the next stage of consultation in the coming weeks.  If these further consultations are successful, a scheme could be in place by summer 2017.

Minister Hazzard said: 

“Residents of south Belfast have long voiced their concerns about parking in their local area.  The scheme I am announcing today has been developed in consultation with local residents, including the College Park Avenue and Rugby Road Residents’ Associations and I hope will help address this long standing issue.

“The College Park Avenue / Rugby Road scheme will provide 117 parking spaces for residents and 127 pay and display parking spaces for residents and businesses.  These spaces will be supplemented with short stay parking spaces on Rugby Road and a loading bay in Carmel Street to facilitate local businesses.” 

The spaces will be provided along a number of streets in south Belfast, including part of Carmel Street, College Green, College Park, College Park Avenue, Rugby Parade, Rugby Road, Rugby Street and part of University Avenue. 

The Minister continued: 

“The issue of all-day commuter parking is one faced by other communities and earlier this year I announced a similar scheme for the Rossville Street area in Derry.  I am continuing to look at this issue to see what other schemes can be brought forward to address what is a very real concern for many people living in our towns and cities.

“My Department has also consulted on a scheme for the Lower Malone area.  However, due to the number of objections, in particular, the high number from businesses located in the Lower Malone area, I am unable to progress it at this stage.  I have asked my officials to re-engage with the residents and businesses in Lower Malone, to establish if a way forward can be found that will accommodate all stakeholders in this area.”

• https://belfastresidentsparking.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/14-10-07-401034-h-d-103-option-3-rev-q.pdf

Notes to editors: 

1. Residents’ parking scheme is an area where only vehicles with a valid permit or ticket can park during the time the scheme is in operation (typically 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday).  The primary aim is to discourage vehicles from outside an area (such as commuters) from parking within residential streets. 

• College Park Avenue/Rugby Road area:  In November 2013, officials carried out an informal consultation exercise on the proposed scheme. This involved the issue of information packs to 250 rateable properties in the area and led to the receipt of 100 responses. 94 responses were in support of the proposals; 5 did not offer their support; and 1 response didn’t know.  The formal consultation exercise began on Wednesday 29 October 2014 and lasted until Wednesday 19 November 2014 during which time 13 objections were received.  Since then 2 were withdrawn and 11 objections still remain.  27 letters of support were received (including 2 letters of support for both schemes). No objections were received from businesses located within the proposed zone.
• Lower Malone area:  In November 2012, officials carried out an informal consultation exercise on the proposed scheme. This involved the issue of information packs to 1,244 rateable properties in the area, and led to the receipt of 464 responses. 420 responses were in support of the proposals; 32 did not offer their support; and 12 responses didn’t know.  The formal consultation exercise began on Wednesday 29 October 2014 and lasted until Wednesday 19 November 2014 during which time 63 objections were received against the scheme.  Since then 4 were withdrawn and 59 objections still remain, including 43 objections from businesses located within the proposed zone. 63 letters of support were received (including 2 letters of support for both schemes).

2. Media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office on 028 9054 0007 or email press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974 373 and your call will be returned.
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