City Hall extends free parking promotion in Douglas 

FREE parking for two hours in Douglas is set to remain in place until January 20. City Hall yesterday made the announcement that the Monday to Friday promotion of free on-street parking is to be extended to help traders in the area recovering from the shopping centre fire.

Free parking is available on Saturdays, with a maximum limit of three hours.

City Council has noted that motorists must return to their vehicles after the allotted two hours are up, saying: “If you wish to park for more than the two free hours, you must return to your vehicle at the end of the two free hours period and purchase a pay and display ticket for the desired extra period, subject to the maximum period permitted in that Pay and Display ticket parking place. (i.e. 1 hour or 3 hours)”

Sunday parking will continue to be free of charge.

Fianna Fáil councillor Terry Shannon yesterday welcomed the decision to extend the parking promotion.

“This was something which I sought out when I was speaking with the Director of Services and Operations at City Hall, Valerie O’Sullivan, before Christmas,” he told The Echo.

“I’ve used the free parking in Douglas over the Christmas myself and speaking with traders in the area, it’s something they are delighted with too. It helps because footfall is down with the centre being closed.”

Mr Shannon also welcomed the screen which has been erected around the fire-damaged shopping centre.

“I spoke with some of the engineers in City Hall regarding this and I feel it has been positive in alleviating the problem of motorists slowing down and rubbernecking on the N40 South Ring flyover.

“As a city councillor I am very much committed to Douglas and I am happy that City Hall has implemented measures such as these.”

The free parking was initially introduced on a one-hour basis back in September but was later increased to two hours.