Residents urged to have their say on parking charges

PARKING campaigners could see their demands come partly true after council chiefs said they might meet them halfway.

As opposition against the introduction of parking charges grows, with more than 3,200 people signing an online petition, Angus Council is urging residents to complete a survey by May 8.

Brechin campaigner Jill Scott set up the Save Our Shops Angus petition, which demands a half-hour period of grace.

However, the survey suggests the council plans to meet protesters halfway by offering a 15-minute period of grace.

The consultation document has nine questions, the first asking participants if they would like a concession of 15 minutes free parking which would provide “greater flexibility for shoppers and businesses”.

Views are also being sought on a maximum daily charge and whether annual tickets should be made available for offstreet parking for residents within time restricted on-street parking areas.

Councillors approved the introduction of charges for on and off-street parking in February. Off-street parking in public car parks will be available for both short and long stays.

A flat rate of £1 per hour is proposed for the first four hours of parking. Stays of four to nine hours in long-stay car parks will be subject to the maximum daily charge of £4.

The plans were met with anger by business leaders, who warned they would lead to “tumbleweed towns”.

Ms Scott, chairman of Brechin Community Council, said: “Parking charges will have a detrimental impact on our already struggling shops and town centres. We are calling on Angus Council to allow 30 minutes free parking on our streets to assist our local shops/business.”

The survey is at surveymonkey. co.uk/r/GKD37NG.

Jill Scott