Introduction to Car Parking & Parking Restrictions
Management of car parking can be a key factor in a successful
transportation policy. An effective parking policy can discourage
all day parking and encourage a change of travel mode from
the private car to public transport.
Roads Service is responsible for:
- 367 off street car parks with 31,240 spaces
- 1 multi-storey car park containing 840 spaces.
In Belfast, there are approximately 1,300 on street metered parking spaces.
Charges are reviewed annually, with an objective of recovering the majority
of the costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the car parks.
Roads Service ensures motorists receive a good quality of
service including good directional signage, clear tariff displays
and rapid repair of faulty pay and display machines.
Click here to search by town for
car park locations and tariff details.
Parking Restrictions and Enforcement
The Traffic Management (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 enables Roads Service to take over from the police, the enforcement of most parking restrictions including yellow lines, urban clearways, bus lanes, limited waiting parking places and pay and display bays.
This transfer of enforcement responsibility is described as the Decriminalisation of Parking Enforcement (DPE) and mirrors a process which has been undertaken across the UK. As a result of DPE Traffic Wardens will no longer be employed by PSNI but new Traffic Attendants working for National Car Parks Ltd on behalf of Roads Service will provide the new parking enforcement service.
For the vast majority of drivers, those who currently park properly, the introduction of DPE will mean little change in terms of how they park, as no new restrictions will be introduced. What they will notice however is that those people who do park in contravention, will be much more likely to be penalised as we intend to increase the level of enforcement.
Car Parking for the Disabled
Most Roads Service car parks contain wider parking bays and
designated spaces for disabled drivers located close to pedestrian
exits. Please note that the concessions provided by the Disabled Persons Badge Scheme only apply
to on-street parking on public roads. They do not apply to Roads Service off-street car parks, or in other off-street parks, such as
shopping centres and multi-storey car parks; you should check
the concessions offered as these can vary widely.
A Blue Badge should always be displayed when availing of the concessions provided by the Disabled Persons Badge Scheme or when parking in a bay set aside for a disabled driver.
Car Parking Advice
When using Pay & Display machines you must ensure that the ticket you
buy is sufficient for the length of your stay. Display this clearly on your
car windscreen (not on side windows or the dashboard). All tickets have a peel-off
adhesive backing - please use this to fasten the ticket.
You will need to have change for the ticket machines - these take any Sterling
coins from 5p to £2 (they do not accept copper coins).
- Always lock valuables away and out of sight.
- Always lock your vehicle and ensure all windows are closed.
- Do not leave a child or any animal in a locked vehicle on a summer/hot day.
- Do not leave notes on your windscreen saying how long you will be gone and
when you will return. This is an open invitation to thieves.
- Do not park anywhere in a public car park except wholly and only in a clearly
marked bay. If there is insufficient room for you to park in a bay (perhaps
because of the way others have parked) then please find another bay or car
park in the vicinity.
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