Visitors to Tollymore Forest Park have been urged to park responsibly and to show respect for the local residents who live nearby.
Inconsiderate parking causes disruption to the lives of people in Bryansford, local elected representatives Colin McGrath MLA and Cllr Laura Devlin have said this week. It is a long-standing problem.
But there is concern that with Easter just around the corner, and better weather on the way, more people will be flocking to Tollymore Forest Park. And that means more vehicles being parked outside homes in the vicinity of the popular park.
Mr McGrath and Cllr Devlin added that they have been contacted repeatedly by frustrated residents. In a statement the two SDLP representatives said residents “continue to face disruption caused by cars, buses and even horse boxes parking along residential roads, often blocking access and creating safety concerns”.
Mr McGrath added: “This is not a new issue, it is something that has been affecting local people for many years. However, as we approach Easter and the busy summer season, there is a real fear that the situation will escalate once again. Residents should not have to compete for access to their own homes because of irresponsible parking.”
Cllr Devlin said: “Bryansford is a gateway to one of our most beautiful natural assets, and we welcome visitors to the area. But that cannot come at the expense of those who live here. There must be a balance, and at present that balance is not being achieved.”
They confirmed they have contacted the PSNI to request the reintroduction of traffic cones in “problem areas” and increased monitoring to deter inconsiderate parking. They added that if the situation doesn’t improve, “more permanent measures” may need to be explored.
“This cannot continue year after year,” Mr McGrath added. “We are urging people to park responsibly, respect residents, and be mindful that these are not just access roads to a park, they are people’s homes.”
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