Concern Derry ratepayers could be burdened with car park upgrades

Derry ratepayers could be burdened with upgrading off-street carparking if the Assembly goes ahead and hands over control of such car parks to  new super councils, it has been claimed.

Stormont has passed the Consideration Stage of the ‘Off-street Parking’ (Functions of District Councils) Bill which prepares the way for new councils  - including Derry City and Strabane District Council - to take over off-street car parks on 1 April next.

John Dallat, East Derry SDLP MLA, said he was concerned the acquisition of these car parks, while appearing as a revenue stream, could pose a heavy burden on local ratepayers if they needed to be upgraded.

He added: “The idea of local councils having responsibility over off-street car parks could present an exciting challenge for the new councillors but if the Department of Finance insists on ‘top-slicing’ the profits then many of the car parks, particularly those in poor condition, may become an albatross hanging over the heads of local ratepayers for years to come.  It could become a case of ‘all that glitters is not gold’.

“Obviously the condition of hundreds of off-street car parks across the North varies widely with some requiring massive investment to bring them up to basic health and safety standards.  Some are subject to flooding, many have poor markings and pot holes and there are examples where street lighting has been severely damaged by car park users. Indeed in at least one care there is no clear demarcation between a car park and the public road.”

“The new responsibilities for off-street car parks must be seen as an opportunity for the new councils to develop car parking strategies which can be used for the regeneration of numerous towns and villages."

Mr Dallat concluded: "However, with the very limited time left before the Final Stage of this Bill is reached, the issue surrounding profits must be reviewed if this project is to deliver the expectations of the public.”