Ards and North Down Borough Council is to lobby the Department for Infrastructure to extend on-street parking waiting times from one hour to two hours in Bangor, Newtownards and Donaghadee, and to introduce trial schemes in Holywood and Comber.

The move follows a consultation with local businesses and community groups, and an appeal from the borough's Chambers of Commerce for free town-centre parking. Councillors rejected the free parking request, instead advancing the two-hour limit proposal.

Feedback from groups in Bangor, Newtownards and Donaghadee backed the longer waiting time, arguing it would give visitors more time to shop and use local services. In Holywood, opinion was divided: some said two hours would help shoppers and appointment-goers, while others favoured keeping the one-hour cap to maintain turnover. Comber representatives agreed to trial two-hour restrictions, except on Castle Street and Mill Street.

The council also wants the department to review the 'no return within one hour' rule, which responders said drivers evade by moving to a different nearby bay, effectively parking all day.

Councillor Nigel Edmund described the two-hour plan as a small step in the right direction and noted that ageing ticket machines could eventually generate more income. Councillor Tom Brady said he would welcome not receiving tickets for exceeding an hour by a few minutes.

Councillor Lauren Kendall requested a meeting between the department and Holywood residents to guide them through setting up a residents' on-street parking permit scheme. She said the department placed heavy evidence-gathering demands on communities without adequate templates or support. Council officers said they would investigate the matter.

In a separate move, the council recently introduced the RingGo 'Buy Time' feature, allowing drivers to extend paid parking remotely without returning to their vehicle or a machine.