Mid and East Antrim Council has confirmed today, Friday 2nd February, it set to reverse the recent introduction of car parking charges at a number of town centre locations across the borough.
In an update published on the local authority's website following a consultation, Council has confirmed:
• Carrickfergus Castle Car Park will remain free for public use
• In Ballymena, Mount Street car parks 1 and 2, and Broughshane Street car park, will return to free parking sites.
• In Larne, car parks at Exchange Road and Circular Road East will return to free parking sites.
The controversial introduction of the parking charges last year faced an outcry from the borough's residents and businesses alike, who shared concerns of the impacts to town retailers and services.
The statement from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council says:
"Following extensive consultation and engagement with residents and businesses, Council has taken the decision that Carrickfergus Castle Car Park will remain free for public use.
"Council thanks all those who took the time to engage with the consultation process and express their views on the proposed changes.
"As a Council, we have listened to the public’s feedback, as demonstrated by the decision taken at this week’s meeting of Elected Members.
"Council also agreed that Mount Street car parks one and two, as well as that at Broughshane Street in Ballymena, will return to free parking sites, with the arrangements put in place soon.
"In Larne, car parks at Exchange Road and Circular Road East will also be free to use in due course.
"Council will continue to work closely with our town centre traders and business leaders to do all we can to support, promote and grow our economy and ensure the very best services, facilities and infrastructure for our citizens and visitors."
While today's announcement will be widely welcomed, questions will no doubt be raised over the decision-making process to introduce charges in the first place, and the subsequent associated financial costs to the ratepayer.