12/12/2008 -

Christmas Car Parking

In the region of 3000 ‘off-street’ car parking spaces are available to Sligo’s shoppers over the busy Christmas period, which  should ensure that shopping in Sligo this Christmas should be an enjoyable and relaxed experience.

According to Mayor Councillor Veronica Cawley, “There is ample off-street parking available in Sligo city and immediate environs to accommodate the large number of shoppers over the Christmas period.  The large number of spaces, and their location convenient to the main shopping areas, will make life easier for people bringing their cars to Sligo. Our message to people looking for hassle- free shopping in the lead up to Christmas is – Sligo is very well catered for both in terms of quality retail choice and also in terms of car-parking facilities.’

The Mayor added  that Sligo Borough Council’s reduction earlier this year  of the minimum parking period to twenty minutes, with a corresponding reduction in the minimum charge to forty cents, had been well received by motorists.

140 free spaces

The Mayor also welcomed the provision of free parking spaces for the Christmas period at the Showgrounds and Union Place. ‘One hundred car free parking spaces will be available in the Showgrounds and a further forty spaces at the former Craig & McGowan’s yard at Union Place. Both locations are a matter of minutes away from the city centre, and I would encourage motorists to avail of these facilities over the Christmas period.’

In addition to the city centre parking, there is ample parking on the periphery of the city, including 1166 car parking spaces in Carraroe Shopping Centre and 227 spaces in Cleveragh Retail Park.

Parking Meters

The introduction of parking meters earlier last year has been welcomed by local and visiting motorists, and has made it easier to access and pay for parking spaces.  Over eighty meters have been installed throughout the city at designated locations, and the new meters are designed to accept credit cards, sterling and euro coins. Parking can also be paid for by mobile phone.