Cookstown drivers enjoy all day parking while Traffic Wardens unable to issue any tickets

by Gráinne Connolly

Motorists have been enjoying all day parking in Cookstown's main street, since the new "herring bone" parking bays were introduced. 

Traffic Wardens have been unable to issue any tickets to vehicles parked there and it's all down to a non-functioning Assembly at Stormont. 

Last year, a multi-million pound public realm scheme was completed in Cookstown and then handed over to Mid Ulster District Council. 

As part of the scheme, the "herring bone" parking bays were painted along both sides of the town's main street, replacing the "box style" bays. 

However, the new parking bays require new legislation which has to be signed off by the Northern Ireland Assembly, and while the Assembly has been non-functioning since last January, no legislative decision can be taken. 

Q Radio made contact with the Department for Infrastructure regarding the situation, and while they confirmed that the legislation hadn't been signed off; they "strongly recommend" drivers to adhere to the parking and waiting restrictions that's currently signposted. 

A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said: 

“As a consequence of the recently delivered Public Realm Scheme in Cookstown, kerb-line and footway alterations were made which resulted in the repositioning of on street parking spaces on parts of James Street, William Street and Oldtown Street.

“These changes required the Department to undertake a legislative process to introduce a Parking and Waiting Restriction Order to give legal status to the proposed parking bays and waiting restrictions.

"This process, which is aimed at improving traffic progression and motorist parking opportunities, has required the provision of accurate descriptions of the restrictions needed and these are currently being assessed for inclusion in a draft Order.

"Following consultation, the Order will be presented to the Department’s Permanent Secretary for ratification and will then be made.

“All signs and lines are now in place and enforcement of the new restrictions will recommence once the legislation has been signed off.

"Most of the parking restrictions in Cookstown are still enforceable under the old legislation and the Department would strongly recommend that motorists adhere to the information displayed on the parking and waiting restriction signs currently in place.”