Residents living around Newry Train Station say dangerous parking is getting worse by the week – despite plans for a significant expansion of the official car park.
Sinn Féin councillor Declan Murphy said the area had become “a victim of its own success” as rising passenger numbers outstrip the station’s current parking capacity.
Alongside party colleague Cllr Aidan Mathers, he recently met residents living beside the station, who have complained that drivers are abandoning cars on footpaths and along nearby streets when the main car park fills up.
“The carpark does not have the capacity to take the volume of traffic that is now making good use of the more regular train service,” Cllr Murphy said.
“Many drivers are using the footpaths for the overflow and this is leading to all kinds of safety issues for both residents and pedestrians.
“While I would appeal to car owners to look for alternative modes of transport to the station, I will request a site meeting with DFI Roads to see what measures can be taken to address the safety issues created by this congestion.”
Earlier this summer it was confirmed that 40 additional car parking spaces are to be added at Newry Train Station, with work scheduled to begin in September. Double yellow lines will also be introduced on approach roads as part of the scheme, in a bid to prevent dangerous on-street parking.
Newry and Armagh MP Dáire Hughes has already welcomed that move, saying the soaring popularity of the train – fuelled by more regular services on the Dublin –Belfast Enterprise route – has created persistent parking problems in the surrounding area.
“The huge growth in the number of people using the train is very welcome and we hope it continues. It is a consequence of Minister Liz Kimmins’ commitment to improving rail services and the hourly Enterprise timetable,” he said.
“However, the popularity of the train has caused issues at Newry Train Station for many months. The car park is usually full, owing to the large numbers of commuters and people travelling for recreation.”
Mr Hughes said Sinn Féin representatives had raised the issue with Translink and the Department for Infrastructure “on a number of occasions” and that he was pleased to see work now moving ahead.
“It is great news for residents and commuters that work to expand the car park at Newry Train Station is to begin in September. This work will provide 40 additional car parking spaces and see double yellow lines added to approach roads. This will go some way to alleviate the challenges at the station.
“Whilst there may be some short-term disruption, these spaces are badly needed and I thank Translink, Minister Kimmins and her department for taking this work forward.”
