Free Christmas parking in Belfast

Parking wardens will spend less time in parts of the city centre

Evening Christmas shoppers will be able to park for free in parts of Belfast in the run up to the festive period.

Three hundred and thirty places will be available without charge between Monday 23 November and Saturday 26 December starting at 1630 GMT each day.

The streets where parking is free are at the back of the City Hall.

The decision by Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy follows a similar scheme last year, which was generally hailed as a success.

"This will be a welcome boost to shoppers and traders in Belfast city centre and I hope it will help to ensure a successful Christmas for the city," Mr Murphy said.

"The enforcement of normal waiting restrictions will continue to ensure that illegal parking does not impact on traffic flow or road safety."

"Considerable boost"

The streets involved are Bedford Street, Linenhall Street, Adelaide Street, Alfred Street, Ormeau Avenue, Franklin Street, Clarence Street and Linenhall Street West."

John Moore, president of Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said the Christmas period would be the most important for city centre retailers.

"I congratulate the minister on taking this action which will be a considerable boost at a time when our retailers and local businesses need all the support they can get from government as they fight the ongoing economic downturn," Mr Moore said.

"This initiative will encourage other car parking providers to provide reduced prices for consumers, and we hope to announce more parking deals in the near future."