Yellow lines have landlord seeing red
EMYLIE HOWIE
A Rutherglen pub owner has slammed South Lanarkshire Council for installing double yellow lines on Glasgow Road.
John Vickers, the owner of the Sportsman’s Bar has labelled the move “another blow from the council” and he fears that the new parking restrictions will hamper his business and that of neighbouring takeaways.
Mr Vickers says the lines were painted without any prior notice or consultation and will make deliveries to his pub, and the dropping off and collection of elderly and vulnerable members of clubs he runs, very difficult.
He told the Reformer: “This pandemic has been tough on local businesses.
“We were forced to close and then reopen with major adjustments, before being closed down again.
“To now have another barrier thrown at us with these double yellow lines is really worrying.
“It’s a huge kick in the teeth when times are already hard. This could potentially signal the end of businesses on this road.”
Due to restrictions, the Sportsman Bar is currently closed, but takeaways are open for collections and home-delivery.
And John fears the yellow lines will deter customers.
He explained: “They obviously prevent drivers from stopping outside, and with no parking nearby, people will just chose to go elsewhere. Delivery-drivers can’t even park outside either. It’s just silly.
“And the same applies to my business, I won’t be able to take in deliveries and people won’t be able to get picked up or dropped off.”
Before lockdown John ran a number of weekly and monthly clubs for the elderly and for vulnerable adults.
John and his wife, Helen hope to resume these valuable groups and clubs again once the pub reopens but he fears that the parking restrictions will prevent people from attending.
He said: “Twice a week we hold an additional support needs club that provides company and socialisation for people who often can’t get out much.
“There’s pool and lunches and we also run a monthly karaoke-style disco for the group, as well as clubs for elderly residents.
“These clubs are important and immediate access to the pub is a necessity.
“Many of the young adults arrive in taxis and I make sure a taxi takes them home too. Some of our members are also in wheelchairs.
“These double yellow lines make it illegal for people to be dropped off outside the pub.”
John has suggested to the council it enforces an alternative restricted parking scheme.
He added: “Double yellow lines are not the answer. Something like drop offs/ pick ups only or a maximum stay of 20 minutes with no return within an hour would be far better. That way our businesses may at least stand a chance of surviving.”
Head of Roads and Transportation, Gordon Mackay said “On-street parking was identified as the cause of significant congestion on Glasgow Road resulting in long queues and driver frustration.
“Waiting and loading restrictions were proposed and comments were invited through statutory consultation in early summer 2018.
“Advertisements were placed in the Rutherglen Reformer, the council website and notices were also erected along the road.
“As no objections were received, a traffic regulation order was promoted in mid 2019. Covid-19 restrictions did delay implementation but the work has now been completed. We are satisfied that there are opportunities for servicing and customer parking nearby the Glasgow Road businesses and the measures in place will remove any congestion issues.
“Once travel patterns and businesses practices have returned to normal we will monitor the measures put in place.”