Car parking policies and balance with sustainable transport

The priority is to ensure that car parking policies and provision do not incentivise the use of the car over the use of sustainable transport modes. Car parking in suitable amounts and locations is vital for the city centre to function properly, however a balance is necessary between car parking and other transport modes and between the needs of short-stay and long-stay parking users. Belfast must compete as a shopping and leisure attraction with other towns and cities, and with out-of-town retail developments. An appropriate supply of short-stay car parking spaces for shoppers in the city centre is therefore needed to assist its vitality and viability by attracting customers.