Douglas parking measures expected to reduce City Hall parking income by €80,000 

Parking measures that have been introduced in Douglas Village since a devastating fire earlier this year are expected to reduce Cork City Council’s income from parking by around €80,000, officials have revealed.

City Hall introduced one-hour free parking in their controlled parking spaces in Douglas in September, following the fire at Douglas Village Shopping Centre in August, which has left the shopping centre closed and around 1,000 parking spaces out of action.

The new parking scheme was continued as part of City Hall’s Autumn plans and is now to be extended in the run up to Christmas.

Director of Services and Operations at City Hall, Valerie O’Sullivan, revealed the plans in a letter to city councillors this week.

She said that the initial parking promotion, together with the latest proposal for Christmas parking, will impact parking income in Douglas to the tune of around €80,000 by the end of the year.

The latest measures set to be introduced include two hours free parking in Douglas Village every day from November 11 to December 31.

The scheme will also see parking become free on Saturdays from November 30 to December 28.

The new parking arrangements will also see no charges on all Sundays, Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day.

Cork City Councillor Deirdre Forde welcomed the latest measures.

She said she is delighted to see the introduction of the new parking scheme to support business in the area.

Normal parking arrangements in the village will resume on January 2, 2020.

Ms O’Sullivan explained in the letter to councillors that the scheme will only apply to parking spaces that are controlled and operated by Cork City Council.

She explained:

“A large quantum of parking spaces are operated and managed by private operators.

“Previously, these operators have been invited to participate in a joint initiative but the offer was not accepted.”