Beware - changes in parking regulations in University Area

x12yhp

Hi guys,

I got a nasty surprise today when I got back to my car, in the university area of Belfast. It was bad enough that it took a good half hour to find a spot but worse when there was a fixed penalty notice on the screen. There were about half a dozen or 10 cars around me all with the same notice and, on inspection, the sign showing the parking restrictions is sparkly brand new.

So be very careful as there are all sorts of changes in the area and you should not necessarily expect a previously 'safe' area still to be so.

All the best

warmhands.coldheart

x12yhp wrote: »

Hi guys,

I got a nasty surprise today when I got back to my car, in the university area of Belfast. It was bad enough that it took a good half hour to find a spot but worse when there was a fixed penalty notice on the screen. There were about half a dozen or 10 cars around me all with the same notice and, on inspection, the sign showing the parking restrictions is sparkly brand new.

So be very careful as there are all sorts of changes in the area and you should not necessarily expect a previously 'safe' area still to be so.

All the best

Just to add...... Residents parking is on the way to the area in a few years around Rugby Road, College Park Avenue and some adjoin areas.... though not in the main "Holy Lands " area.......

It's to stop commuters and students from hogging the parking outside the houses of actual residents..... time to find a new parking spot !!

I see they are changing the little streets in the "holy lands" to one way also, alternating the direction of traffic flow on parallel streets....

saverbuyer

warmhands.coldheart wrote: »

Just to add...... Residents parking is on the way to the area in a few years around Rugby Road, College Park Avenue and some adjoin areas.... though not in the main "Holy Lands " area.......

It's to stop commuters and students from hogging the parking outside the houses of actual residents..... time to find a new parking spot !!

I see they are changing the little streets in the "holy lands" to one way also, alternating the direction of traffic flow on parallel streets....

Permit parking is coming to all those areas. Right down to Sandy row. It's out to consultation at the minute.

x12yhp

I can see why they want to do this but what about me? The business person who needs to visit the area now and again? I actually do volunteer work in the area as well - today's exercise means I not only wasted half an hour trying to find a space but then gave my time and had to pay for the privilege.

What is the suggestion that I do? There really are not any car parks in the area, the street parking is always bunged so I can't even pay for a space. I will not be alone in this need and what it will boil down to is that I will not be able to do my volunteering and I will do my best to ensure that my business operations are removed from the city. That doesn't sound like the sort of outcome that Belfast really wants to become widespread!!

belfastgirl23

x12yhp wrote: »

I can see why they want to do this but what about me? The business person who needs to visit the area now and again? I actually do volunteer work in the area as well - today's exercise means I not only wasted half an hour trying to find a space but then gave my time and had to pay for the privilege.

What is the suggestion that I do? There really are not any car parks in the area, the street parking is always bunged so I can't even pay for a space. I will not be alone in this need and what it will boil down to is that I will not be able to do my volunteering and I will do my best to ensure that my business operations are removed from the city. That doesn't sound like the sort of outcome that Belfast really wants to become widespread!!

There will be visitors permits which may cover your volunteering question.

To put the other side, try living in an area where you have zero chance of getting parked within a ten minute walk of your house. Often you can't even pull in illegally to drop off shopping etc as people are parked on corners, in alleyways etc. Walking in the area can also be unpleasant because people are so frustrated at not being able to park or at the narrow streets that they drive aggressively.

I take your point about economic benefits but there is something to be said for quality of life for people who already live in Belfast too.

Buzby

I use Ulsterbus myself.......

ladeeda

There is some metered street parking off Botanic. I usually have no problem finding a space. I think the road is called Mount Charles. On the right if your heading along Botanic Avenue towards Queens library. You can park for up to 4 hours. That said, I still got a ticket. The wardens are quick.

guiriman

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

To put the other side, try living in an area where you have zero chance of getting parked within a ten minute walk of your house.

Well you get what you pay for, don't buy a house without a driveway and then expect the street to be always free.

Golden_Anemone

Park and Ride at Cairnshill - will take you about half an hour to drive out, park and get bus back and cost you £3.60 return if you're paying cash and £2.30 by smartcard.

warmhands.coldheart

saverbuyer wrote: »

Permit parking is coming to all those areas. Right down to Sandy row. It's out to consultation at the minute.

I think the area around queens is top of the list and is being used as the "trial area" before any further role out..

belfastgirl23

guiriman wrote: »

Well you get what you pay for, don't buy a house without a driveway and then expect the street to be always free.

Though of course I could say you get what you pay for too, don't expect to buy a house far away from your work for half the price of mine and then park at my door