Council rolls out changes to off-street car parking in the district

An initial programme of actions to address the overall requirement for off-street car parking within the Fermanagh and Omagh District has been rolled out by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

The programme of actions is designed to:

• Address the issues of long stay car parking in key locations in Enniskillen and Omagh town centres;
• Address the imbalance between car parking charging arrangements; and
• Support local economic vitality and sustainable travel.

Actions that came into effect on Monday 3 September 2018 include:

• The removal of the £1 for 5 hours tariff on all relevant off-street car parks to improve availability of car parking spaces;
• The introduction of a premium tariff in six car parks (minimum charge 0.50 p, maximum charge £4.50 per day) at Eden Street, Cross Street, Market Street and Down Street in Enniskillen and Johnston Park and Market Street in Omagh to reduce long term parking and improve the availability of car parking spaces located closest to the town centres. Almost 50% of off-street car parking in Enniskillen and Omagh remains free of charge;
• Placing a maximum stay restriction of 3 hours on a number of car parking spaces (19 of the 268) at Wellington Place car park, Enniskillen, to facilitate visitors to Enniskillen Castle and the Visitor Information Centre; and
• The installation of a fence to clearly distinguish between Foundry Lane and New Brighton Terrace car parks in Omagh where different tariffs apply.

Car parking at 26 of the 39 off-street car parks operated by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council across the district remains free of charge.

Season tickets for premium car parks are no longer available to purchase. Season tickets that are still in date can continue to be used until their date of expiration.

Season tickets will then be limited to 60 in Enniskillen and 60 in Omagh and will be issued at a discounted rate of 40%. Monthly season tickets will no longer be available and only quarterly season tickets can be purchased.

Members of the public can now apply for a season ticket in applicable Pay & Display car parks in Enniskillen and Omagh by contacting the Council’s agents, NSL by telephoning 0330 008 8770 before Monday 17 September 2018.

It is anticipated that these actions will support the local economy and balance the needs of shoppers, workers, visitors and businesses by ensuring improved access to car parking spaces located closest to Enniskillen and Omagh town centres.  It is also hoped that these actions will drive a change in car parking culture and may result in commuters sharing travel arrangements which in itself would reduce the requirement for car parking in our main towns.

Speaking on behalf of Enniskillen BID and Enniskillen Business Partnership, Noelle McAloon said:

“Research shows that a significantly high percentage of our premium car parking spaces are occupied by cars staying all day. Town centres need a high turnover of car parking spaces to enable a good shopping experience and these actions should help to address this.”

Lynn McKinley, Chair of Omagh Town Centre Forum, said:

“I welcome the changes to the car parking in our town and believe the impact will be greatly received by businesses and shoppers alike.  More spaces will be readily available which will ensure that shoppers and visitors will enjoy a more pleasant shopping experience.”

A 5-year off-street Car Parking strategy was developed by professional advisers, AECOM, on behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council earlier this year to address the overall requirement for off-street car parking within the district. The strategy was developed following an extensive review of existing car parking practices and demand throughout the district and following consultation with members of the public and key stakeholders.

The 5 year strategy includes an extensive range of recommendations. The strategy and recommendations were considered by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in July where it agreed to implement a limited number of recommendations, as outlined above.

If these initiatives prove successful in terms of achieving the objectives of the Car Parking strategy then it will not be necessary to implement any further recommendations as outlined in the strategy.

For further information on the changes to off-street car parking within the Fermanagh and Omagh district and the new off-street car parking tariffs please visit the Council website at www.fermanaghomagh.com/residential-services/off-street-car-parking/ or telephone 0300 303 1777 (calls charged at local rate).