A complete waste of time, effort and money
Fury over council parking survey
Renfrewshire Council bosses have been slammed after it emerged they spent £41,000 of taxpayers’ cash on a town centre parking survey.
Opposition councillors questioned the spending on a detailed “impact assessment” on plans to introduce parking charges in Renfrew and Johnstone.
Labour leader Eddie Devine claims the cash could have been better spent.
He said: “The council has spent a huge amount of money on a survey into parking changes in Renfrew and Johnstone.
“I’m shocked and dismayed that this amount of money could be spent on something like this. I think the council will have to explain how this is value for money for taxpayers.
He added: “There was also discussion that if charges are brought in Johnstone and Renfrew, that the first hour might be free. I asked for that to be extended to Paisley but this was shot down.
“We need clarity on the situation and we need to know why so much money was spent, when the whole point of this exercise is to raise money.”
Plans for a raft of parking changes, including charges in Johnstone and Renfrew were put forward in November.
Fees in Paisley could be increased, with an extra 10p per 30 minutes and an additional 50p for four hours. These hikedup charges would be enforced in Renfrew and Johnstone as well and aim to move longerstay parking to the edges of town centres and free up short-stay spaces in the centre of the town.
There would also be an upgrade to existing parking machines, with the majority of current meters approaching the end of their lifespan and needing to be replaced.
Meters would be installed that will accept cash, card and contactless payment to allow for easier use of payand- display zones at council car parking facilities.
The proposals are aimed at boosting parking supply and support local businesses by displacing longer-stay parking to the edges of town centres and freeing up short-stay spaces.
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “Each town centre in Renfrewshire has unique parking requirements and parking in Paisley is currently operating well with a good turnover of vehicles.
“A detailed impact assessment was undertaken to identify and tackle specific parking issues in Johnstone and Renfrew town centres.
I t examined in detail whether the introduction of proposed parking charges would benefit the areas mentioned – recognising the importance of listening to the views of our local communities.
“The impact assessment, as specific to each town centre, included providing a detailed and actual baseline of data and evidence, examined onsite parking observations, behaviours and challenges, undertaking parking surveys across 12- hour periods, and importantly stakeholder engagement and consultation wi t h businesses and communities.
“The consultation and engagement included face-to- face meetings and also covered specific issues within the communities of both Johnstone and Renfrew.
The findings of the impact assessment will now be shared with key stakeholders and the wider public with a report back to the policy board in August.
“These responses will help inform the detailed design process moving forward and will ensure that any changes made to parking provisions in Renfrewshire will benefit the local communities of Johnstone and Renfrew.”