Ballymena car park to close overnight as council tackles anti-social driving with £13,000 barriers

Church Street Car Park Three, Ballymena

Mid and East Antrim councillors have agreed to the installation of barriers at a town centre car park in Ballymena at a cost of £13,000 in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour.

Members of the borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee approved the installation of automatic barriers at Church Street Car Park Three in response to complaints from nearby residents.

The decision was taken at a meeting in The Braid, Ballymena, on Monday evening. The barriers would close the facility at 8pm and reopen it at 7am.

A committee report said anti-social behaviour (ASB), described as “erratic driving and noise disturbance at a meeting place for groups of drivers”, has continued throughout the night despite the presence of CCTV cameras and warning signage.

The report stated:

“A number of residents in nearby Castle Street Mews have made complaints to council officers and elected members requesting that action be taken to stop these drivers who are active throughout the evening and into the early hours of the morning.

“Many of the residents are elderly and some have illnesses, and the ASB is causing them great distress.”

Speaking at the committee meeting, Ballymena Alliance Councillor Jack Gibson said:

“I am very pleased to see this brought forward. I have been in touch with some residents. There has been a scourge of anti-social behaviour.”

Cllr Gibson proposed accepting the recommendation to approve the installation.

Braid DUP Alderman William McCaughey commented:

“I am sure Castle Street residents are very pleased to hear this.”

He queried whether installing barriers at Car Park Three could simply move the problem elsewhere.

“If we put barriers on Car Park Three, are we going to drive this into others?” he asked, noting that residents in other areas could begin making similar complaints if the behaviour was displaced.

An officer acknowledged he could not guarantee the measure would solve the problem and said it was possible the behaviour could move elsewhere, although the council could consider further intervention if required.

Ald McCaughey also noted the £13,000 cost of the barriers and the potential expense if similar measures were needed at other locations.

Braid TUV Councillor Matthew Warwick quipped about the amount of petrol being used by motorists revving their engines “all night long”.

He also asked about the use of the car park during major town events, such as the Christmas lights switch-on, and whether it would be possible for the barrier to remain raised on such occasions.

The officer confirmed that the timing of the barrier could be adjusted when necessary.

Carrickfergus Castle DUP Alderman Billy Ashe MBE told the meeting that a similar problem had previously occurred at a car park in Carrickfergus, with the activity later moving to St Bride’s Street Car Park in the town centre, where more residents lived nearby.

He suggested speed ramps might be a more effective solution.

“If they go over a ramp or two, they don’t like it,” he remarked.

“The only issue with ramps is they present a tripping hazard,” the officer replied.

Ald Ashe responded:

“If you go over ramps in the car, surely you know where they are.”

He also questioned spending £13,000 on barriers that could potentially be vandalised.

“They were vandalised in Carrick. They were thrown in the tide,” he claimed.

“You are giving us a solution that has not been properly thought through.”

Ald Ashe was advised that any displacement of the problem would be monitored.

The director defended the proposal, saying:

“We certainly think this is the most cost-effective way of dealing with the issue in this car park. We do not think it will solve the problem of motoring-based ASB across the borough. It is a good first step to take.”

The proposal to approve the recommendation was seconded by Braid Alliance Councillor Chelsea Harwood.

Ald Ashe asked for his opposition to be formally recorded, adding:

“This is something we are experienced in. We are not using that experience.”