Working group to be set up over Palace Street parking
Residents in Derry's Palace Street have been engaging with council officers over a period of time with their frustration at access to parking
Derry and Strabane District Council is to set up a working group to address concerns by Palace Street residents over ongoing parking issues.
The issue was raised at a meeting of the council's Business and Culture committee on Tuesday.
Residents in Palace Street have been engaging with council officers over a period of time with their frustration at access to parking. It is their view that council should provide them with designated parking bays in off-street car parks free of charge as they do not have access to on-street parking where they live. There is no on-street parking permitted on Palace Street as there are double yellow lines in place.
Residents do however have access to two off-street car parks in close proximity; Society Street and Bishop Street car park.
Residents have previously been offered the opportunity to avail of monthly or quarterly season tickets. Season parking tickets offer a discounted rate for regular users of an off-street car park.
The Department of Infrastructure (DfI) has previously issued city centre residents living in the Craft Village with parking permits allowing them to park on street on lower Magazine Street. As far as council officers are aware DfI have refused to offer the same facility for the Palace Street residents based on the number of other city centre residents that may seek a similar permit.
Residents have now approached council officers seeking designated bays in adjacent council off-street car parks.
Proposing the establishment of a working group, DUP councillor Chelsea Cooke said that all options should be explored in a bid to resolve the issue.
Alderman Cooke suggested removing plant pots from two spaces in Bishop Street car park which could be designated for resident usage.
She said: “We feel that there are more avenues to explore and more discussions to be had in regard to the blocked off spaces in Bishop Street car park, discounted seasonal tickets and permits.”
SDLP councillor Rory Farrell gave his party's backing to the proposal before querying the costs of discounted tickets.
A council officer told members that council is not in a position to give residents designated spaces as it would result in a land transaction. However all options could be discussed in the working group.
UUP councillor Darren Guy seconded the proposal.