Car park charges being introduced across North Coast expected to raise £257K annually

Ballycastle, County Antrim

Causeway Coast and Glens Council has confirmed charges are set to be introduced across a number of car parks across the borough on a seasonal basis.

Council said Members considered the implementation of charges recently as part of the rates setting process. The move is estimated to bring an additional annual income of £257,000.

The decision applies to Portrush (West Bay), and three car parks in Ballycastle (Seafront car park, Harbour car park, Ferry Terminal car park). The charges are on a seasonal basis from 1st April – 30th September (8.30am-6.30pm), with a tariff of 50p per hour.

A notice erected in recent days informing motorists of the impending change

A spokesperson for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council commented:

"Most of the car parks located on the Causeway Coast have very limited capacity, and increasing tourist and traffic volumes will continue to add further pressure in key areas.

"In July 2020, Council introduced charges to three Portrush car parks (Dunluce, East Strand and Harbour car parks), which has assisted businesses in the town due to a greater turnover of spaces. It also increased revenue for the Council in order to minimise the impact of rates increases.

"As part of the rates setting process for 2024/25, revenue raising options were considered and car parking charges were identified and considered along with inequalities of parking charges in some towns against others.

"In order to harmonise the free and charged car parks, proposals were considered and approved to charge one additional car park in Portrush (West Bay) and three car parks in Ballycastle (Seafront car park, Harbour car park, Ferry Terminal car park). Revenue from these four charged car parks is proposed to raise £257k per annum.

"These charges are on a seasonal basis from 1st April – 30th September (8.30am-6.30pm), with a tariff of 50p per hour."