Derry City Council has been called on to provide free car parking for blue bad holders.
The call comes SDLP Regional Development Committee (DRD) member Joe Byrne, following the passing of the second stage of legislation that will transfer greater powers governing car-park to local councils.
The West Tyrone MLA said all local councils should have the power to offer free off-street car parking to blue badge holders,
He was speaking during the second stage of the Off-street Parking (Functions of District Councils) Bill at Stormont which will give councils greater powers controlling car-parking prices, accessibility and standards.
Mr Byrne said: “I welcome and support the transfer of ownership and control of car parks to the new Super Councils in April 2015. The Department of Regional Development has estimated their value to be approximately £46m with potential revenue of around £8m. This bill will see the ownership and maintenance of over 300 car parks, both free and charging, being transferred to councils.
“I believe that councils should have the power to offer free off-street parking to blue badge holders and with it, the opportunity to drastically improve serious obstacles for people with disabilities and mobility problems.
“Too many people face what is, at best, unnecessary inconvenience and, at worst, risks to their safety because of second-rate off-street parking. In a similar vein, provisions for people with disabilities are not always enforced and are at times abused in the car parks of large supermarkets and such.
“This could ensure local government are able to take greater interest in off-street parking that has not been under the control of the DRD.
“Moreover, this bill will give councils the power to tailor parking charges to their specific situations but we must avoid causing undue confusion and uncertainty for drivers who will cross the borders between different super councils.
“It must not be the case that hard-pressed families are presented with fines because of the lack of a clear and comprehensive system in place.
“It would be regrettable if a system similar to the one operating in England emerged here where two towns in close proximity can operate vastly different parking charges.
“Parking has proved contentious in a number of our town centres and it is right the new councils will have due input into the decisions that affect parking in their area.”
Mr Byrne concluded: “Parking plays an important role in the economies of our local towns and cities and on the people who use these facilities day-in-day-out.”
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