Works on resident’s parking scheme in south Belfast to commence

Works to implement a Resident’s Parking scheme in the Rugby Road/College Park Avenue area of south Belfast are due to commence next month.

The scheme, which will come into operation in January 2018, will include a combination of parking spaces for residents and pay and display spaces.  

A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said:  “Residents of south Belfast have long voiced their concerns about parking in their local area. This scheme has been developed in consultation with local residents, including the College Park Avenue and Rugby Road Residents’ Associations. It will help address the long standing parking problems in this area.

“The College Park Avenue/Rugby Road scheme will provide 117 parking spaces for residents and 119 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 spokesperson continued:  “Local residents and businesses will be able to apply for Resident’s Parking permits for their properties. An application pack will be provided to eligible properties within the scheme. This pack will contain advice on how the scheme will operate and an application form."

Notes to editors: 

1. A Resident’s Parking scheme is an area where only vehicles with a valid permit or ticket can park during the time the scheme is in operation. This scheme will operate from 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.
2. Only those in possession of a valid Resident’s Parking permit will be allowed to park within the permit parking bays during its hours of operation. A permit costs £30.00 and can be renewed on a yearly basis. Permits are not required for emergency services, post vans, statutory undertakers or weddings / hearses and if a person is actively engaged in loading or unloading. Visitors permits will also be available to residents and the local HPSS Trust may apply for health visitor permits where necessary.
3. 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; five did not offer their support; and one 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. Two were withdrawn and 11 objections remained. 27 letters of support were received. No objections were received from businesses located within the proposed zone.
4. The statutory consultation phase has now been completed and the Department has made a Statutory Rule entitled The Parking Places, Loading Bay and Waiting Restrictions (Carmel Street and Rugby Road, Belfast) Order Northern Ireland which will come into operation on 30 October and construction works will then commence.  
5. The dates and duration of the temporary works will be dependent on the progress of the scheme and on favourable weather conditions. In order to help ensure the safety of road users and road workers the public is asked to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions and to drive with care when travelling through, or in the vicinity, of the works.
6. For traffic information about this and other improvement schemes visit www.trafficwatchni.com/
7. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra
8. 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 974 383 and your call will be returned.

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