Northern Ireland disabled parking bay consultation closes 29 October

Proposals, not final parking changes

Northern Ireland motorists and Blue Badge users have until 5pm on Thursday 29 October 2026 to respond to a Department for Infrastructure consultation proposing changes to designated disabled parking spaces in several towns. The consultation concerns the Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No. 6) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

The critical distinction is that this is a draft order. The spaces proposed for creation, removal or adjustment are not automatically in force because the consultation has been published. Drivers should continue to obey current on-street markings and signs until any final decision and subsequent legal commencement.

Where new bays are proposed

DfI proposes new disabled parking places with unlimited waiting on Bellevue Street in Ballyclare; Beatrice Avenue and Central Avenue in Bangor; Ederowen Park in Derry; Glenelly Villas in Draperstown; Bawnmore Park and Derrycoole Way in Newtownabbey; and Balfour Street and Meadow Park in Newtownards.

The exact property fronts and locations appear in DfI’s consultation description and draft order. These are individual designated locations, not blanket changes to an entire town or permission to park indefinitely in ordinary bays. They are intended for disabled persons’ vehicles only.

Ballymoney High Street and Main Street are different

Ballymoney has a more complicated set of proposals linked to an environmental scheme. On High Street, the draft would reduce an existing disabled parking place in front of the Post Office at numbers 16 to 20 from two spaces to one, while adding a place in front of No. 4, identified by DfI as Ground Expresso.

On Main Street, the proposal would remove a disabled place in front of No. 7, identified as Bob & Berts, and create two spaces in front of No. 9, identified as Gordons Chemist. These are changes to the arrangement and position of marked places, not a simple promise that Ballymoney will receive a net increase everywhere.

Existing places that the draft would remove

The consultation also proposes removing certain places with unlimited waiting. They include Springfield Road in Bangor, Harding Street in Derry, Saul Street in Downpatrick, Main Street in Gortin, Castledawson Road in Magherafelt and Windsor Avenue in Newtownards.

This aspect deserves as much attention as the new spaces. People who rely on a familiar designated bay for access to a shop, home or service may want to check whether the proposal concerns their exact location and consider submitting relevant evidence before the deadline. The consultation does not prove those removals have been approved.

How and when to make representations

The Department says responses can be made in writing or by email to the relevant DfI TRAM divisional office, with the addresses included in the consultation page. The published consultation closes on 29 October at 5pm. Anyone affected should use the original consultation page and draft documents for the correct office and any specific instructions.

When responding, identify the town and precise bay, explain how it is used and give practical evidence where possible. For example, note whether access is affected by steep pavements, nearby crossings, distances to an entrance or the availability of alternative suitable parking. These are suggested considerations, not criteria invented by the Department.

What this means for drivers now

Until there is a made order with a start date, the existing restrictions remain the reference point. Proposed removal does not mean a marked space has disappeared overnight. A newly proposed bay is not reserved until it has actually been legally designated and signed.

There have been other disabled-bay statutory orders during 2026. Those should not be confused with this sixth-amendment consultation: its locations and closing date are different. PureCar is reporting the opportunity to comment now, rather than announcing final parking restrictions before any decision is made.

Official source

This report is based on the Department for Infrastructure original publication. For confirmed orders, check the statutory instrument, map and local road signs; for consultations, check the draft order and response deadline. Read the original DfI notice and linked documents.