Parking rules ‘driving shoppers out of city’
Political Correspondent PARKING policy is driving people out of town and hitting high street shops, according to business campaigners.
The Federation of Small Business wants to see it made easier to park in city centres and town centre high streets and for cash generated to be reinvested in improving local areas.
The group highlights figures from the RAC Foundation that shows Glasgow made more than £12m surplus from parking charges and said it invested a third of that back into transport initiatives.
FSB has written to Transport Scotland calling for affordable, accessible parking to attract people to high streets.
Andy Willox, FSB policy convenor, said high streets need help to compete with the internet.
He said: “Everyone in Scotland wants our high streets to flourish. We want shoppers to be tempted away from their computers to use the fantastic goods and services provided by local independent retailers.
“But if it isn’t cheap and convenient to visit a high street or town centre, people won’t bother. Two thirds of working families have a car. We need to design our local places with these people in mind.”
The research by the RAC foundation showed that Glasgow earned less from parking than Edinburgh.
The capital brought in £17.7m compared to Glasgow’s £19.5m. Edinburgh’s surplus after expenditure was £19m to Glasgow’s £12m.
The FSB said a stronger link should be established between parking income, roads maintenance and high street regeneration.
It also wants high streets to include more services that just shopping to bring in more people.
Mr Willox added: “We want more public services, like GP surgeries and government offices, on our high streets.
“The future of the high street lies in having a mix of sectors that attract a broader range of customers or clients. But our parking policies are standing in the way of that change.”
A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: “Penalty charge notices (PCNs) are issued to drivers who chose to ignore parking restrictions. The income from PCNs does not cover the costs to administer parking regulations, however it is a necessary service and helps to keep the city moving. Glasgow provides affordable short term parking for shopping and business needs. Parking restrictions are designed to protect local businesses and residents from the indiscriminate and all day commuter parking that can occur in areas where restrictions are not in place. ”
She added that in Glasgow, people can also use the mobile phone payment system RING GO to pay for parking.