A new Park and Ride scheme for people working and shopping in Derry’s city centre could help address parking congestion in the town, it has been claimed.
The move comes after a consultation was launched earlier this month into a planned Bogside Residents’ Parking Scheme.
The Derry News also revealed that a new Park and Ride was being planned for the Drumahoe area for commuters.
However, SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan has said that a similar facility catering for people working and shopping in the city centre could help reduce both the amount of money being paid by people in parking and the numbers of car coming into the area on a daily basis.
A Park and Ride facility had been operated at the Fort George site in Derry during the City of Culture celebrations to bus people into large events taking place in the city centre.
In 2006, a Park and Ride scheme was also introduced at Fort George for Christmas shoppers.
Mr Durkan also warned that when the planned Bogside Residents’ Parking Scheme does go ahead, it could result in traffic problems being ‘pushed-out’ into other areas nearby.
“While we welcome progress on the Bogside Residents parking scheme and the positive impact that should have for the people living there, I believe that agencies must come together to mitigate against potential negative knock-on effects,” he said.
“There might include traffic merely being ‘pushed-out’ into neighbouring areas and shifting the problem from one area to another and also considerable inconvenience and expense for people who work in the city centre and rely on cars to get there.
“If someone has to pay to park in a council or private car park all day every day, their take home pay will be reduced drastically.”
Mr Durkan continued that he was now in discussions with a number of bodies, including Derry City and Strabane District Council, about the possibility of a new Park and Ride.
“Therefore, it is imperative that creative solutions are sought. With all due respect to Translink, their existing services do not suit everyone’s needs as many people still need cars for dropping off and picking up children and other responsibilities,” he added.
“I believe the establishment of a Park and Ride facility would be hugely beneficial. I am currently in the process of bringing stakeholders such as Council, Translink and City Centre Initiative together to explore options.”
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