Parking – Wellington Place car park beside Enniskillen Castle
BAD news could be looming for workers in Enniskillen as it seems likely that charges may be introduced for free car parks and others may see sizeable price increases.
The proposed changes to parking in Enniskillen include scrapping the popular £1 for five hours tariff across charged car parks and the introduction of a fee at the Council’s free car parks.
These changes have been suggested following a review of existing parking practices throughout the district following consultation with members of the public and key stakeholders.
Enniskillen Councillor Paul Blake voiced his concerns on how these proposed changes could impact those who work in the town and depend on the provision of affordable parking.
“I would be against any possible increase to charges that would be applied in car parks as it affects those who working in the town. When you think about it, if you are putting in a pound a day into the car park meter, and you are working for a minimum wage, you won’t be long seeing things disappears which is putting more pressure on workers who are very important to the well being of the town.
“As we are coming into the summer season, we will have a lot of tourists coming into the town to do shopping, so it will impact them too.”
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has also suggested that improvements are made to accessible space provision and for maintenance and upgrade of car parks, while also adding options for the use of new technologies.
When asked for their opinion on the changes that may occur, Herald reader Christopher Corrigan commented saying “it’s more of an opportunity to squeeze a few more pennies out of the local workers for a service that has minimal maintenance and running costs in comparison to the revenue that it generates.”
Another reader, Lyndsey-Jayne Vance said “they would be making more money from people working in the town parking in them, as they would be longer than someone visiting in most cases. You can never get the free spaces unless you come in super early to work and what about people who do shift work?”
Council Officers will address the issue at a future Environmental Services Committee meeting and in the meantime arrangements will remain as they currently are.
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