MOTORISTS parking in designated passing spaces on the route to Divis Mountain in Belfast are being warned their vehicles could be seized after traffic was brought to a “standstill” on Sunday.
Police issued a warning yesterday that the “blanket” issuing fixed penalty notices in the area would return to prevent illegal parking on Divis Road, which leads to the popular beauty spot with views over the city.
It is feared a repeat of parking issues in the area last year could occur when “huge amounts” of traffic on the road led to “dangerous” conditions for drivers and pedestrians.
Yesterday police appealed for people to cease using the passing spaces on the road to park, warning that vehicles could be “seized and removed” if the road markings were ignored.
“We had major parking issues last year. It was resolved by blanket issuing penalty notices to any offending vehicles,” a PSNI spokesperson said in a social media post.
“If you decide to park on the designated no parking areas you will get a penalty notice at the least. At worst you’ll have your vehicle seized and removed. Everyone has the right to walk up the mountain or drive on Divis road. No one has the right to park lazily wherever they please, in no parking zones.”
A later statement indicated the situation got worse during the day.
“The road has been at a standstill on multiple occasions today as a result of vehicles ignoring signage and parking in these areas,” the spokesperson said.
“If your vehicle is parked in such a way that it causes a severe obstruction to the road it will be removed. The issue is having an impact on local residents. As has been previously stated, penalty notices have been issued.
“They will continue to be issued until such times as people stop parking in these areas and obstructing the road.”
The National Trust, which maintains the Divis Mountain area, was contacted last night for comment.