14/11/2025
Infrastructure Minister Makes Flexible Parking Pledge
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has asked her officials to investigate options for greater flexibility within Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) in Belfast, Lisburn, and Newry to support local businesses and high street shopping, particularly during the critical festive season.
The Department for Infrastructure currently manages parking in the CPZs of Belfast, Lisburn, and Newry, aiming to balance traffic management with the needs of local businesses and people shopping and socialising on the high street. Acknowledging the changing commercial landscape—where local traders compete with out-of-town retail parks and online shopping—Minister Kimmins noted that many businesses view current parking restrictions as a barrier to encouraging footfall.
To address this challenge, the Minister stated: "I have asked my officials to look at options to provide greater flexibility in controlled parking zones to support high street shopping and hospitality particularly during the festive season."
The move aims to create a more supportive environment for local traders, reduce congestion, and improve the overall experience for city centre visitors.
The Department for Infrastructure currently manages parking in the CPZs of Belfast, Lisburn, and Newry, aiming to balance traffic management with the needs of local businesses and people shopping and socialising on the high street. Acknowledging the changing commercial landscape—where local traders compete with out-of-town retail parks and online shopping—Minister Kimmins noted that many businesses view current parking restrictions as a barrier to encouraging footfall.
To address this challenge, the Minister stated: "I have asked my officials to look at options to provide greater flexibility in controlled parking zones to support high street shopping and hospitality particularly during the festive season."
The move aims to create a more supportive environment for local traders, reduce congestion, and improve the overall experience for city centre visitors.
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A year after responsibility for parking fines moved from the police to the Department for Regional Development (DRD), more than 140,000 tickets for illegal parking have been issued. New statistics show that since parking enforcement moved from the PSNI last October, 143,564 parking tickets were issued by DRD-contracted National Car Parks wardens.
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14 June 2011
Retailers Meet Minister Over Parking Fees
The organisation that represents NI's independent retailing sector has held a meeting with the newly installed Stormont Department for Regional Development (DRD) Minister.
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The organisation that represents NI's independent retailing sector has held a meeting with the newly installed Stormont Department for Regional Development (DRD) Minister.
26 November 2025
Kimmins Unveils Festive Parking Grace For Lisburn And Newry
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has introduced a seasonal pilot giving drivers an additional hour's grace after their paid parking session ends in on-street bays within the Controlled Parking Zones in Lisburn and Newry, meaning motorists can return to their vehicles within that period without receiving a ticket.
Kimmins Unveils Festive Parking Grace For Lisburn And Newry
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has introduced a seasonal pilot giving drivers an additional hour's grace after their paid parking session ends in on-street bays within the Controlled Parking Zones in Lisburn and Newry, meaning motorists can return to their vehicles within that period without receiving a ticket.
29 September 2021
Over 400,000 Spend Local Applications Complete On Day One
More than 400,000 applications for the Spend Local were completed on the first day of the scheme, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced, describing the response as "formidable". The portal for applications to the High Street Scheme opened on Monday.
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23 February 2023
Dept For Infrastructure Increases On-Street Parking Charges
The Department for Infrastructure has announced that on-street parking tariffs are to increase in Belfast, Newry and Lisburn from 01 April, 2023. The on-street parking tariffs in the Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) in Belfast, Lisburn and Newry were last increased in February 2017.
Dept For Infrastructure Increases On-Street Parking Charges
The Department for Infrastructure has announced that on-street parking tariffs are to increase in Belfast, Newry and Lisburn from 01 April, 2023. The on-street parking tariffs in the Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) in Belfast, Lisburn and Newry were last increased in February 2017.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.

