Dublin's paid parking zones to be expanded

Parking in Dublin is to become even more expensive with a new expansion of the city council's on-street paid parking zones.

The council intends to expand the city's most expensive parking zones, instead of increasing flat rates, so that more motorists are parking within the highest cost areas.

Currently parking charges are divided between four areas: the Very High Demand or "yellow" zone, between Parnell Square and Fitzwilliam Place at €2.50 per hour; High Demand "red" zone, from Dorset Street to Ballsbridge at €2 per hour; Medium Demand "green" zone from Phibsboro to Donnybrook at €1.30 per hour; and Low Demand at €1 in the rest of the council area. Under the new system all of the red zone will be drawn into the yellow zone, where motorists pay the highest charge. The former green zone will take over the area which was governed by the red zone charge of €2 and a new green zone will be created stretching from Drumcondra and Glasnevin to Clonskeagh. The only change in the per hour charge will be in the green zone with an increase from €1.30 to €1.50.

Dublin City director of traffic Owen Keegan said he was unable to estimate how much extra revenue the council would collect from the new system as it was intended to discourage people from parking in the city centre.

"The whole purpose is that it will be a financial disincentive to overstay in on-street parking. It's consistent with council policy not to facilitate all-day on-street parking, although on balance there will probably be a small revenue increase."

There had been significant redevelopment of the city centre since the parking zones were set, he said, and many areas of lower parking demand, had become areas of very high demand.