DRD Roads Service has announced increases in charges for its busy town centre car parks and on-street parking in Belfast. The new tariffs will come into operation on 1 February 2003.
A DRD Roads Service spokesperson said:
'The purpose for charging for town and city centre car parking is to off set the cost of providing the service, encourage the use of public transport and where possible ensure that the most convenient spaces remain available for shoppers and other visitors.
'One of Roads Services key objectives is to recover the cost of providing car parking, however the increase needed to recover 100% of costs would be unacceptably high. Accordingly when approving the new tariffs in May 2002 a rate which would recover 75% of the running costs was agreed. In Belfast the rates are below those being charged in private sector car parks in the city centre.
'The review of tariffs started in May 2002 and Ministerial approval for the subsequent proposed changes was given in July 2002 with the Regional Development Committee noting the proposals in September 2002. In keeping with procedural requirements Roads Service notified all relevant District Councils of the proposals.'
In the Eastern Division area, which includes Belfast, the increase in car parking charges only applies to 20% of off-street car parks spaces and 90% of the spaces available on-street.
For further information on the list of charges please contact the Press Office on 028 9054 0004.
