The Holywood Councillor was notified by Roads Service last week, with the government body confirming it did “not envisage” implementing on-street Pay and Display parking in the town “without the full support of the Council”.
The recently published 2012 Holywood Parking Report – published by Roads Service – had previously recommended “the introduction of Pay and Display parking be considered in the main commercial streets in the town centre”.
Councillor Andrew Muir said: “I am delighted to report that the pay and display plan has been halted. This followed a concerted campaign which gained the support of North Down Borough Council against plans which would have led to pay and display parking being introduced in the main commercial streets in Holywood Town Centre.
“With Holywood Town Centre now enjoying a relatively low vacancy rate the last thing businesses and shoppers needed was new charges to replace the one hour on street parking limit. Free parking for up to one hour on Holywood’s High Street and surrounding areas is extremely popular with shoppers who were aghast at these plans.
“I look forward to engaging with the Roads Service to address parking and traffic flow without the worry that these plans will be imposed over the heads of North Down Councillors.”