A 38 space extension to the Sheepbridge Park and Share Facility will open before Christmas according to the Department for Regional Development (DRD). The £70,000 scheme will see the number of spaces at the facility which sits adjacent to the A1 Belfast -Dublin carriageway increase from 25 to 64. After cutting the first sod on the project DRD Minister Danny said work on the project would be rapidly completed. “I am absolutely delighted we have gained planning approval and secured funding for a proposal to extend the existing facility by 38 spaces,” he said. “This is a good example of my Department’s approach to providing a modern sustainable transportation infrastructure for Northern Ireland.” The Park and Share was first developed as part of the Belfast-Dublin A1/N1/M1 project and was opened in 2010. From its early days it has proved a hit with motorists ken to save money on commutes to and from Belfast and Dublin. Earlier this year it was revealed that demand for spaces at the facility was outweighing supply by more than 3:1. The report of a Fews Multi-Agency Meeting on June 11 stated that up to 52 cars had been counted along the road/footway outside the existing 25 space facility. Motorists had previously told the Reporter that all spaces were filled by 7.45am each weekday morning. As such the 38 space increase is only likely to alleviate rather than solve the problem of demand.
The Reporter
27th November 2013
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