FAQs

Several car parks, operated and managed by Council, are not regulated by the current Off Street Parking Order (2000) NI (as amended). Regular visits and inspections of some of these car parks have evidenced inappropriate parking with vehicles parking outside parking bays, parking on grass areas, misuse of Blue Badge bays and causing obstructions within the car parks. This inappropriate parking causes damage to grass surfaces, decreases manoeuvrability space and often less appropriate parking within designated bays.

It is proposed that the following car parks are designated and operated under the new proposed Belfast City Council Off Street Parking Order, as public car parks, thereby adopting the conditions pertaining to the use of public car parks and allowing enforcement.

Enforcement of these car parks will be conducted by the Council enforcement contractors and were necessary Penalty Charge Notices issued for the appropriate offense.

• Parkgate Avenue car park
• Shaws Bridge car park
• Sleivegallion car park
• Stranmillis car park

Two of the car parks listed in the 2000 order and transferred to Council, were leased car parks and these two car parks are no longer within the Council portfolio.

These car parks were:

• Frederick Street
• Bankmore Street

Blue Badges are issued against clear criteria to support those with mobility needs and excludes the need for means testing. The Council recognises that customers who hold Blue Badges may require additional time due to their mobility issues. It is proposed that the parking fees for Blue Badge holders is retained but vehicles displaying a valid Blue Badge are permitted to park free for an additional period following payment of the appropriate charge in accordance with the scale of charges.  

Currently the Council need to go through an order to regulating or restricting the use of a designated parking place. Currently this process does not facilitate for the expedient closure of car parks and Council wish to develop a mechanism to facilitate this. This will assist in closing the car parks for maintenance, council events, alterations to the car parks or development of the car parks. This procedure will be developed and agreed by Council.

Currently the Council are restricted with how the parking bays and parking places are used. Council is seeking to introduce a mechanism whereby the parking bays and parking places may be used for activities other than parking. This will assist in facilitating the activity of other Council departments when hosting events or partner organisations seeking to use the assets. A procedure will be agreed by Council and only through adherence to this procedure will any outside organisations be allowed to use the assets.

Other than amending the operations concerning blue badge bay use, there will no change to the operation of charged car parks. Users will continue to follow the rules of the car park as displayed on the House signage and noted within the order.

At this stage, we will not be increasing parking charges. However, this order will give Council the ability to amend charges when necessary.

At this stage, we will not be making any changes to their non-charged car parks. However, this order will give Council the ability to introduce charges when necessary.

We believe that by having our own bespoke parking order, specific for Belfast, that this will enable us to manage our assets in a better way. It is anticipated that we will be able to enhance the parking experience available to our users