Omagh traders rally over parking fines

THE Department for Infrastructure (DfI) says it will continue to ‘engage’ with local business leaders and elected representatives despite failing to attend a meeting about parking fines in Omagh.

The meeting, held last Friday at Old Market Place, included multiple business owners, elected representatives, council officials, and local police.

Traders requested an easing of parking restrictions and asked if DfI could address enforcement practices.

Business owners expressed concerns that parking enforcement officers were issuing more fines and suggested that businesses that raised complaints felt they were being ‘targeted’ as a result.

They also requested more weekend parking in the lead-up to Christmas and asked the council to consider opening facilities like The Grange and County Hall for public parking.

Several business owners also said fears over fines were reducing foot traffic in the town centre.

‘Impossible’

Speaking at the meeting, Omagh Chamber of Commerce vice president and local business owner Emma Miller said running her business in the town has become ‘impossible’ at the moment.

“This meeting was called today for two important reasons: The chamber has been inundated with business owners telling us about a ramp-up in the number of parking tickets being handed out in the town,” she said.

“As a business owner myself in Old Market Place, it has become impossible for me to run a business here. Many of us believe this issue is scaring people away due to the cost of parking and the fear of being fined.”

While DfI representatives were unable to attend, they confirmed they had met with local MLA Tom Buchanan and Omagh Chamber of Commerce on October 23. Topics of discussion included exemptions to loading restrictions, perceptions of parking attendant behaviour, and the council’s Ringo App.

A DfI spokesperson said, “Unfortunately, due to other commitments, the department was unable to attend the meeting on October 25. However, we have been and will continue to engage with the relevant stakeholders about parking in Omagh.”