This is good news for city traders.

Cork City Council has reduced parking charges to encourage shoppers to visit Cork City Centre.

The new rates were introduced after the St Patrick Street driving ban, which limits the road to buses, taxis, bicycles and emergency vehicles between 3pm and 6.30pm every day, caused chaos among traders, who claim the idea has led to a significant drop in business.

Cork City Council will be offering reduced parking charges as follows:

From 12.00 noon: Customers can use the Black Ash Park and Ride facility, Kinsale Road free of charge, six days a week, with buses running every 15 minutes including Saturday.

From 12.00 – 18.00: in both North Main Street and Paul Street, customers will get four hours parking for the price of two hours that day. For example, in North Main Street car park four hours parking will cost you €3.50. Seven days a week.