Planters are being used to try and stop "free-for-all car parking" in a Belfast pedestrian zone authorities opened as a through-road to service building works.
Bank Square is home to bars and restaurants with outdoor service areas, including Kelly’s Cellars and Mourne Seafood.
Lowering bollards designed to keep traffic out of the square to “allow for the servicing of the Bank Buildings works” sparked car parking issues.
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Traffic wardens don’t patrol the area, which is owned by the Department of Communities, because it was not adopted by Infrastructure chiefs.
And while the two rows of “welcomed” planters have dissuaded some from parking in the area, the problem hasn’t gone away.
Green Party NI leader Mal O’Hara said: “While it is understandable that access is granted to allow the rebuilding of the Bank Buildings, it is disappointing the departments are unable to enforce any form of parking restrictions in this area.
“This once again shows the paucity of ambition from the departments for Communities and Infrastructure.
“In the first wave of the Covid pandemic, urban areas across the world transformed by enhancing walkability, public realm, cycle infrastructure and pedestrianisation.
“This provided a significant boost to hospitality and retail who were struggling throughout the pandemic,” he added.
“Despite the expressed will of the council to radically transform the city at pace, these powers lie with the two departments.
“They have proven time and again they are unable to meet this ambition.”
Some took to social media to voice their frustration at how one of the city’s few designated pedestrian zones was ‘filled’ with cars for weeks.
“Belfast has rise and fall bollards to restrict access to vehicles, but they lie unused,” said one person.
“In the meantime people spaces like Bank Square are a free-for-all car park.”
A DfC spokesperson said: “At present, there is a road through Bank Square to allow for the servicing of the Bank Buildings works.
“This will be removed when Bank Street re-opens, allowing the Bank Square area to be closed off to vehicular access.
“Shorter-term interventions - the repositioning of planters to deter illegal parking - are currently being progressed to alleviate the parking issue.
“Longer-term measures - erection of bollards to return Bank Square to a pedestrianised zone - will be implemented once Bank Street reopens to the public.
“Bank Square is not part of the Department for Infrastructure’s adopted network and is not covered by their Parking Enforcement Division.”
Do you think the city centre is becoming cluttered with cars? Or how would you improve things to make it more attractive for people visiting or shopping? Let us know in the comments below.
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