Belfast City Council is exploring the possibility of offering free parking in its council-owned car parks on St Patrick’s Day. This consideration arose during a recent committee meeting at City Hall, prompted by a proposal from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP).
A council officer expressed concerns regarding the financial implications of such a decision, noting that any loss of income would need to be covered by identifying available funds. The committee also discussed the need for increased bus services in and out of the city on March 17 to accommodate the expected influx of visitors.
SDLP Councillor Gary McKeown highlighted a significant issue from last year, where 47 individuals received fines for parking in council car parks on St Patrick’s Day. He pointed out that those who parked on nearby streets were not penalized, as the Department for Infrastructure had suspended enforcement of off-street parking fees on that date.
“It is understandable people would have thought it is a non-charging day,” McKeown stated during the People and Communities Committee meeting. “In such respects it was, just not officially or universally. This creates confusion, and I am sure for those who were fined it spoiled an otherwise enjoyable day in the city.”
The councillor mentioned that he had been informed by the Infrastructure Minister that there are plans to formally recognize St Patrick’s Day as a non-charging day for off-street parking. He stressed the importance of ensuring consistency to prevent confusion among the public.
McKeown proposed that arrangements be made to designate St Patrick’s Day as a non-charging day in council car parks in time for March 17 this year. He emphasized the need to encourage visitors to utilize public transport, although he acknowledged the limitations of the current bus services.
“It is important that this should not be seen as a call for people to drive into the city,” he added. “Public transport remains a key option, and we want to ensure fairness and consistency for everyone celebrating St Patrick’s Day.”
Unfortunately, he noted that bus services on that day are often reduced, leading to long queues at bus stops as people wait for transportation to the festivities. To address this, McKeown suggested that the council reach out to Translink, the public transport provider, to increase the frequency of services on key routes into the city.
A council officer reiterated the financial concerns, stating, “This is a Departmental loss of income, and it is a matter for the Department to cover that loss of income within the budget. The committee and the members cannot take a decision unless they identify where that money is going to come from to cover that loss of income.”
The committee agreed to compile a report detailing potential solutions for the financial implications, which is expected to be presented next month. This report will outline how the council might address the loss of income while considering the proposal for free parking on St Patrick’s Day.
As Belfast continues to prepare for the celebrations, the discussions around parking and public transport highlight the city’s commitment to ensuring a positive experience for both locals and visitors during this festive occasion.
