Council considers 5-year plan for off-street car parking within Fermanagh and Omagh

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

The review highlighted a number of key issues around parking in Enniskillen and Omagh which include problems associated with long stay parking in key locations within the town centres; an imbalance between free and charged car parking and different charging arrangements.

Following this review and taking into consideration consultation responses a 5-year off-street car parking strategy was presented to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, which aims to:

– Provide an appropriate level of parking to support economic vitality;

– Ensure that parking is inclusive for all types of users;

– Ensure that parking takes place in appropriate locations;

– Deliver well managed, high quality parking, utilising technology where possible;

– Ensure that car parking provision encourages sustainable commuter travel;

– Ensure that parking provision supports business and tourism, a reduction in congestion and pollution and improves road safety.

Some of the actions proposed in the strategy for consideration include:

– The removal of £1 for 5 hours tariff across charged car parks

– The introduction of charged car parking or changes to parking tariffs at a number of car parks

– Improvements to accessible space provision

– Proposals for maintenance and upgrade of car parks

– Options for the use of new technologies

Having reviewed the off-street car parking strategy and action plan, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council considers that actions should be introduced on a phased basis and be continually monitored to assess their impacts until the objectives are achieved.

Council Officers will present a proposed initial programme of actions for consideration by Council Members at a future Environmental Services Committee meeting and in the meantime arrangements will remain as they currently are.

To view the report for the Off Street Car Parking Strategy and Action Plan please click here.