26 November 2001

ROADS SERVICE TO CONSIDER PARKING IN BALLYMENA

The Department for Regional Development’s Roads Service said it will give full consideration to any proposals put forward to alter parking restrictions in Ballymena town centre.

Billy McIllrath, Traffic and Network Development Manager of Roads Service, made his comments after a meeting with traders, representatives of disabled groups and councillors in the ECOS Centre in Ballymena.

The meeting was called by Ballymena Borough Council to discuss on-street parking and whether the existing no waiting restrictions could be relaxed - with either charged or free on-street parking introduced instead.

Mr McIllrath said: "All the parking restrictions in Ballymena town centre have been in place for many years. Roads Service has no proposals for alterations, but we are prepared to consider any suggestions, although any changes will require wider consultation.

"Roads Service would seek to ensure that if changes are implemented they would improve conditions for pedestrians, buses, service vehicles and disabled badge holders, as well as going some way to accommodating the traders’ strongly expressed desire for short-stay on-street parking."

For further information contact Eamon Deeny on 028 9054 0004.