Donaghadee Community Development Association The Case for Improved Car Parking in Donaghadee 9th January 2018

Donaghadee – Median Age Donaghadee – Median Age is 44 (highest of any town in Northern Ireland) Northern Ireland 37 Comber 42 Holywood 41 Newtownards 39 Bangor 41

Car Ownership and Parking Spaces Donaghadee 4,169 Cars registered in Postcode BT21 (source DVLA) Total Parking Spaces in Town Centre – 166 (Source Dept for Infrastructure DfI) 36 car park spaces in William St (outside designated town centre) 130 On street parking Spaces By Comparison – Comber has 392 parking spaces (per DfI)

Traffic Flow – Current and Future “Hotspots” Hightrees Crossroads New Street Killaughey Rd Millisle Rd

Traffic Flows & Car Parking – A Brief History (1) 1970’s – Planners propose a new road (similar to Carrickfergus) running from Shore St – Commons – Millisle Road – Abandoned following widespread public opposition 1980’s – Roads Service propose acquisition of land behind the Market House, the Manor House and adjoining properties to provide a car park. Abandoned following opposition by land owners 2003 Farningham McCreadie report – “Traffic Congestion in town centre can create a hostile environment ….” No action taken 2008 - Planning Appeals Commission – responding to draft Area Plan “without a proper transport component, the plan for Donaghadee would be seriously deficient”. PAC recommended a transport study and accessibility analysis – Rejected by Roads Service.

Traffic Flows & Car Parking – A Brief History (2) 2009 – Ards Down Area Plan published by Planning Service – “ …town centre frequently congested at peak times” No proposals other than Cannyreagh Link Road 2012 – Traders propose 3hr parking restriction on Shorefront with permits for residents of nearby houses – Rejected by Roads Service 2012 – Meeting with Danny Kennedy, Minister for Environment – where Minister conceded that town is underprovided with parking spaces 2012 – Subsequent review by Roads Service identified potential for use of Methodist Church car park for short term solution – Rejected by Church

Traffic Flows & Car Parking – A Brief History (3) 2015 – URS Town Masterplan - surveys Car parking appears to be in short supply and is not conducive to town centre trade or visitor attraction; Household survey – limited parking listed as main dislike by 39% of respondents – 76% describe parking as poor or very poor; Visitor / Shopper Survey – transport and parking top priority Estimated that 90% of shopping by residents is outside Donaghadee traffic delays, congestion, car parking and bus set down identified as the key issues 2015 – URS Town Masterplan identified the preparation of a Car Parking Strategy as a Short term, High Priority Project DCDA Trader Survey 2017 – 96% of traders see Preparation of a Car Parking Strategy as very important or important

Conclusion Town’s population has expanded at a much higher rate than any other town in the borough, but the number of parking spaces has not changed, indeed since 1981 it has reduced; Higher age profile and health issues affecting mobility place a greater reliance on car ownership and usage (higher rate of car ownership than in most other towns); The case is further supported by the town’s dependency on tourism and visitors; Parking problems and traffic flows have long been identified as a major obstacle to having a vibrant town centre.

Donaghadee – Potential Sites (Masterplan)

Key Principles for a Car Parking Strategy Sufficient and appropriate car parking is a major factor in securing and maintaining the economic vitality of town centres.  Sufficient car parking capacity must be provided across the 5 main town centres to meet current and future demand for parking. Car Parks should be well managed and effectively promoted to meet the demands of residents, traders and visitors.  An assessment needs to be made of the environmental impact of existing and new car parks There needs to be an appropriate balance between short stay and long stay provision. Any parking charges should be set at levels to reflect the economic strength of town centres.