Milton view Street proposal causes stir
There was one story that dominated the Advertiser’s social media channels this week – our front page story about Hamilton’s town centre parking.
The main artery through Hamilton town centre could be opened back up to traffic with free on-street parking.
Council chiefs had hoped to have their ambitious plans put to committee in August, however the decision will now not be taken until later this year.
Unpopular parking charges could be changed while Quarry Street may be opened up to traffic and offer free on-street parking — something the town has not seen since the 1970s.
SNP councillor John Anderson, chair of the Enterprise and Resources Committee, said: “Initially it was hoped that the Hamilton town centre proposals would go to committee in August. However, this will now be pushed on further into the year.
“The process of the consultation will have to see the proposals firstly put to the Business Improvement District (BID), however they are currently going through a ballot process and this will have to conclude before it can be put fully to committee.
“The proposals are set to include opening back up Quarry Street and reviewing the parking charges throughout Hamilton town centre. If Quarry Street was to be opened back up there is also a proposal where we will be looking at free on-street parking on this street.”
Many of our readers liked and shared the story while others thought the move was a “too little, too late”.
Jim Campbell posted: “Free? Just wait till the council see what a cash cow it can be then the blue bandits will be patrolling.”
Lisa Murray Cookson said: “It won’t work – will end up too busy and will be pandemonium.”
Jason Flannigan added: “Free parking, a great idea if the place wasn’t a ghost town full of charity shops and empty units. It can’t compete with East Kilbride for shopping. Not been in it for ages.”
Jay Farmer said: “Why would anyone go to the centre anyway? There are no decent shops unless you need to pick something up.”
Jill Foster posted: “Why? There’s no decent shops to go to.”
Ian Anderson said: “Great idea, about time. Get to it!”
Gary Lyon added: “It’s far too late South Lanarkshire Council. You have destroyed Hamilton Town Centre with rents that are far too high and good local shops and big companies are not interested. So your free parking, okay for few months see how much money you can make then start charging people again. Same all same all.”
Matt Mccall said: “Back in the day it was open.”
Lorraine Mcguire added: “Would help if there was some shops you could go into, the place is a ghost town!”
Stephen Mcintosh said: “Great idea, just way too late, should’ve introduced free parking to compete with Ek/motherwell years ago.”
Paul Brazill posted: “No thanks, just park in a car park.”
Andrew Scott said: “Too little too late, short-sighted council selling off assets years ago that could have made a difference now.”
John Musgrove added: “Defo, a start to bring a bit of lifeblood flowing down this main artery, and old Bairds at top needs some life put into it.”
Eileen Muir said: “No need for extra parking, nobody visits Hamilton much.”
Carole Hannigan added: “All we need now are some decent shops!”
Chris Watson said: “Would love to be positive about this, however too little too late, can’t remember the last time I went into the centre for anything!
“Unless they are going to lower the rates and get some decent shops in here, then utterly pointless.”
Stewart Willis added: “This is almost a pointless exercise. There’s zero motivation to go to Hamilton due to high rates. There isn’t that much of a draw for shoppers.”
Elsie Chalmers said: “The mistake was the decision taken to pedestrianise Quarry Street. This plus high rates, has virtually been responsible for the demise of shops and trade in the area. Too little, too late.”
JP Wood posted: “About time the council woke up.”
Ellece Mccabe said: “People saying it’s too little too late are wrong. This would make a huge difference to the shops which are already in Hamilton and will help bring new business to the town. Local business owners called for the rates to be looked at, which they have been.”