Local firm Stakeholder Communications has been pointed to oversee a marketing strategy for the city. The Newry and Mourne District Council and Newry Revitalisation Project, which is financed by DSD and follows on from last year’s Hill Street/ Monaghan Street public realm scheme. As part of the scheme new street signage, branding and a website will be introduced to present a modern vibrant city centre. The scheme also coincides with the launch of free Wi-Fi access in Hill Street and Monaghan Street. Meanwhile the introduction of pay-display parking in a number of city car parks will be discussed in the Assembly. In a statement Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley (SDLP) said that traders were concerned about the move. “Many people believe that the change will be detrimental to shoppers who in all likelihood will space less time in the city centre as a result of this change,” he said. “In the near future traders in Newry City Centre will have to face competition from a major retail development which will offer free car parking. As well as being badly affected by the recession the traders have come through some very challenging experiences whilst the first part of the new public realm scheme was under construction and are set for further disruption as part two commences in April 2013.” Further parking issues inn the Ballybot area of the city were also discussed at a meeting organised by Newry and Mourne District Council on January 11, with Newry and Armagh MLA Mickey Brady (SF) confirming that a questionnaire will soon be distributed on the matter. “The houses on Dominic Street, Thomas Street and Poole Lane in particular had parking bays allocated to the houses, in recent times these parking spaces have been taken over by others who have little or no thought for the needs of the residents, many of whom have been long term residents,” he said. “It is accepted there is a massive increase in the volume of traffic in the area and in my opinion part of the problem was that parking fees were introduced by the two large shopping centres and this forced both workers and shoppers into the surrounding housing estates and streets. The Roads Service has undertaken to circulate a questionnaire for the residents to try and get some fresh ideas on how best this issue could be resolved. I would also call on motorists to respect people’s rights to be able to park outside their homes, many of the residents are older folk and people should remember that in some cases these people need to park close to their homes due to mobility issues.
Newry Reporter
16th January 2013
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