As the public realm works in Banbridge Town Centre continue; Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council have agreed a two-week-period of free parking in all of its pay and display off-street car parks starting on Monday 19 August.
With the end of August being a prime time for the ‘Back to School’ trade, Council has approved this initiative to support local businesses and thank shoppers of Banbridge for their co-operation throughout the public realm scheme which began in May 2023 and sees a major £6 million investment.
The Council has been working closely with businesses in the town centre in order to support and keep them updated on the progress of the public realm scheme, with majority of the works currently being undertaken across the Downshire Bridge.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Councillor Sarah Duffy said:
“We can really see the benefits of this major public realm investment in Banbridge come to fruition and with the recent successful Buskfest event held in the town centre it showcases the town centre as a place to visit, shop and dine.
“Having listened carefully to feedback from our local business community following engagement sessions and updates on planned works, the Banbridge DEA members worked with officers to provide two weeks free off-street car parking, and which all elected members fully supported. With the public realm scheme nearing completion we want to say thank you to our local businesses for their continued support and to the local people, please continue to shop local as it’s business as usual in Banbridge.”
The contractors, Fox Contracts, recently issued an update to the businesses in the town centre as works start to the northern side of Scarva Street, commencing at the vacant building on the corner of Rathfriland Street and extending along Downshire Bridge.
Conan Lyttle, Fox Contracts Site Engineer commented:
“We want to thank the businesses in Banbridge for their support throughout the scheme of works . The current phase of the works across ‘The Cut’ are potentially the most complex as it is such a busy and unique cross section for pedestrians and traffic. We will continue to keep any disruption to a minimum with no traffic restrictions in place during the evenings or at weekends.”
The free parking initiative will begin on Monday 19 August and continue through to Saturday 31 August. Please note that this only applies to Council-owned, pay and display off-street car parks and does not apply to on-street parking or parking owned or managed by other parties.
To find out more about the public realm scheme in Banbridge and the current phases of works, you can visit the Council’s website where a dedicated information page has been created: www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/banbridgepublicrealm
