Newry, Mourne and Down council is set to bring in car parking technology across its forest parks with the public kept at bay for now.
The council has already brought in daily visitor payments at its four forest parks, but could now be about to charge per hour.
The recent strategy, policy and resources committee approved for automated parking to be introduced as it looks to boost its cash collection capacity.
In open session, committee, chairperson Callum Bowsie said: “Charged parking automation at forest parks..on the proposal of Councillor Hanlon and seconded by Councillor Mathers, it was agreed to approve the updated capital budget for charged parking as detailed in the report.
“It was also agreed on the proposal of Councillor Byrne and seconded by Councillor Howie that a workshop would be held with members in advance of the implementation of new charged parking automation.”
The report on the new technology was discussed in a confidential session with the public and media locked out.
Details of the charged parking automation are not yet publicly known, but the technology can range from number plate recognition barriers to pay and display tickets and mobile phone apps.
The local authority previously approved daily visitor charges in 2024 despite an online petition of thousands of signatories and objections from some councillors.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands a total of £420,477 was collected in a six month period across Castlewellan, Kilbroney, Delamont and Slieve Gullion forest parks.
At this time a family car is charged £5 per day and a £50 fee for buses with local residents provided a free permit for one forest park.
Recent statistics show almost 17,700 residents received a single permit pass at no cost and over 2,000 bought an all park pass costing £25 raising over £51k for the council.
Money collected by the local authority goes towards the ongoing development and maintenance of the rural visitor attractions.
