Increases to car parking charges in Enniskillen from September 1 of this year passed with little or no debate from Councillors at a meeting of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council at Enniskillen Town Hall. 
The Council ratified the changes, as recommended by the Environmental Services Committee, which included the scrapping of the £1 for five hours parking tariff and a 10 pence per hour increase to Eden Street, Cross Street, Down Street and Market Street car parks. These car parks will now be charged at 50 pence per hour. 
Existing free car parks will remain as such but there will be a three-hour limit placed on 19 spaces at Wellington Place car park to facilitate visitors to Enniskillen Castle. In the case of the Lakeland Forum the situation will continue to be monitored with possible changes coming down the line to include restricted parking. 
In a report presented to the Environmental Services Committee the 10 pence per hour increase in tariff for some car parks “was proposed to encourage a high turnover of cars in a car park, therefore, the car parks closest to the town centres were selected.”
These “premium car parks” will also not be eligible for season ticket holders. 60 season tickets for both Enniskillen and Omagh will be in place and these will be issued on a quarterly basis and will see a discounted rate of 40% in tariffs. 
The meeting heard that the Council had worked closely with the business sector when planning the changes and that there had been broad support.
Noelle McAloon, Manager at Enniskillen Business Improvement District (BID) stated:
“Enniskillen BID have the sole remit to improve Enniskillen so that more people come to visit, shop, eat and stay in the area. We are committed to support the Council is sending a positive message that Enniskillen is a vibrant town with a huge amount to offer locals and visitors. The Car Parking changes have been recommended to improve the turnover of car parking spaces, so that shoppers and visitors have an enjoyable experience when trying to locate a car parking space.”