The state and safety of two public car parks in Armagh city have this week been raised with this publication by separate members of the public.
The first complaint was raised in regards to a concern for safety in the underground car park at the Mall Shopping Centre.
Describing metal supporting beams as “rusted through” the concerned Armagh resident who brought the issue to this publication’s attention explained that there was water “dripping down” from cracks in the car park above.
He said: “It’s in bad need of repair. I wouldn’t like to think of the weight these beams are holding up. It would only take one to weaken!”
The frequent Sainsbury’s customer also expressed a dissatisfaction with the surface of the first floor car park, adding that it was uneven and littered with potholes.
Armagh I subsequently visited the car park area and noted the poor condition of several underground supporting beams – which were indeed heavily rusted in places – with one beam visibly dripping water on a dry day.
The upper area of the car park is also visibly in need of resurfacing.
Part of the road surface at the Mall Shopping Centre car park
In contacting the property’s letting agent CBRE, a representative advised that this section of the car park is owned by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council but that they had made them aware of the issues.
The representative for CBRE confirmed that remedial works are being reviewed for the car park which are currently subject to the council signing off.
The second complaint was made in relation to the general state of Spires Retail Park car park on the Moy Road.
The resident who contacted Armagh I said when he and his wife visited the area for coffee they found the area to be “absolutely disgusting to put it mildly.”
Describing a “plastering” of cigarette butts and other litter, the individual said the entire car park was “shocking”.
They added: “If I was a visitor from outside the area coming to shop here it wouldn’t encourage me to return… it looks as if it hasn’t been cleaned for weeks let alone days.”
The customer also described weeds growing through the pavement areas surrounding the car park.
Armagh I also visited the Spires car park and found the litter to be excessive but the issue with weeds to be at a minimum on the occasion that we attended.
ABC Council have been contacted for comment in relation to both areas, however, it remains unclear at this stage as to whether the Spires Retail Park car park falls under their remit.
