To ask the Minister for Infrastructure, following the recent trial offering an additional free hour of on-street parking at locations in Lisburn and Newry, whether her Department will provide a comparative analysis of changes in parking numbers, on a monthly basis, for the (i) six-month trial period; and (ii) preceding two years.

On 26 November 2025 my Department issued a press release, supported by representatives of Lisburn Chamber of Commerce and Newry Business Improvement District, to promote the extra hour of free parking in Lisburn and Newry ahead of its introduction on Saturday 29 November. The initiative has also been regularly promoted on social media by my Department since its introduction including publicising the extension of the initiative after the Christmas period.

Throughout the course of the initial pilot, officials engaged with a range of relevant stakeholders to gather qualitative insights across local communities and businesses. While the feedback received was generally positive, officials were advised that some were not aware of the pilot. In response, a number of targeted communication measures were implemented including the development and installation of informative stickers on all pay and display machines across Lisburn and Newry, and the introduction of messaging on the JustPark app.

Traffic Attendants do not record vehicles that are parked in compliance with Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) restrictions; they only log instances where no valid Pay & Display ticket is displayed, before issuing a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Consequently, comparable data for parking numbers during the pilot and in previous years is not available.

Evidence recorded during the period 8 December 2025 and 30 May 2026, shows that motorists availed of the extended grace period, with 898 vehicles in Newry and 274 in Lisburn observed parking beyond the standard 10minute period but within the 60minute allowance.

Enforcement data also indicates a modest reduction in PCNs, falling from 3,274 to 3,119, largely due to fewer ‘Code 05’ contraventions (parked after expiry of paid time at a pay and display bay).

Operational observations also indicate that motorists were aware of the pilot and did avail of the extended grace period resulting in a change in parking behaviour in both cities through improvements in compliance.