Consideration is being given to charging motorists for parking in a local beauty spot.
Newry, Mourne and Down Council has been looking at the possibility of paid-for parking at Slieve Gullion courtyard.
But a local councillor has offered reassurances that no decision has been made and, if it is eventually decided to go down that route, such a move could be some considerable time away and certainly not this year.
Sinn Féin Councillor Roisin Mulgrew said that while the issue was being discussed as part of a wider review of council parks policy, any decision was months away and there was certainly no agreed price.
“The possibility of charging for parking in Slieve Gullion as part of a possible wider review of how the council maintains parks in the district has been discussed at a number of meetings but absolutely no decisions have been made, least of all on the price,” she said.
“The council is currently looking at all its parks in an effort to make entrance and parking policy consistent right across the district.
“This is a long term plan. No decision either way will be made for months and it’s unlikely any decision would be implemented this year. Indeed no decision could have been made yet as an issue like this would have to go before the full council.
“Any decision that is eventually made will be made with the long term interests of Slieve Gullion at the forefront of our minds.
“For our part Sinn Féin is fully committed to Slieve Gullion and in fact this year ensured the event spend for the park was increased from £1500 to £102,000.”
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