‘Park and Ride upgrade needed’ – McGreevy
SDLP Councillor and Connaire McGreevy has called for a full park and ride facility for Newry. Speaking following a meeting with Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy about overcrowding at the Sheepbridge ‘Park and Share’ facility, McGreevy has called for a fresh approach to transport in Newry and Mourne.
McGreevy said: “The Minister has committed to carrying out an analysis of the users at the Sheepbridge ‘Park and Share’ facility and I welcome that as a first step. The facility currently has room for 25 cars and is often overcrowded with cars parked along the verges. I believe it is fantastic that people are using the facility and its problems now are that it has been such a success.”
McGreevy believes that it must be enhanced from a ‘Park and Share’ to a full ‘Park and Ride’. “I believe the facility needs to become a full ‘Park and Ride’ facility with bus operators, both private and public sector, providing shuttles to Belfast, Newry and Dublin. This is where our workers are going now for work and we need to provide alternative and cost effective options. We need to create the space and opportunity for people to change their commuting habits.”
He added, “Why should the people of Newry and Mourne not have the opportunity to drive to Sheepbridge and get on a shuttle bus the same way as those in Maghera that got a new 123 bay parking lot with 15 minute connecting buses to Derry and Belfast”.
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