Freezing car park charges will give a much needed boost to town and city centres such as Newry. Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy made the claim after securing the support of the Executive for his plan to hold parking charges where they are. Speaking after meeting with the Executive the Newry and Armagh MLA said he was pleased that a moratorium on car parking charges had been agreed. “This is exactly the sort of mechanism we need to give a confidence boost to traders and those who shop and work in our towns and cities and it illustrates that elected representatives can deliver positively for our own people,” he said. “I feel this will bw warmly welcomed by shoppers and traders in town and city centres and it comes as an opportune time in the run up to Christmas. This moratorium combined with the package of measures to support retailers and consumers which I announced on Monday will give a much needed boost to our local economy and encourage people to get the most out of our town and city centres this Christmas. “I am particularly pleased that effectively car parking charges have been frozen for the current budgetary period of this Assembly.” Meanwhile Mr Kennedy has announced a package of measures to assist shoppers and traders in the lead up to Christmas. These include expanded Park and Ride Services after 4.30pm on weekdays and all days each Saturday. These services will operate for five weeks from Monday November 19 to Saturday December 22.
Newry Democrat
13th November 2012
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