Free parking row ends in blaze of fury

Police launch hunt as mystery attacker sets light to meters

THEIR introduction sparked furious protests by residents in a quiet Scots town.

Now, only weeks after they first appeared on the streets of Brechin, Angus, parking meters have been torched by vandals – causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Off-street parking charges were imposed on the town by Angus Council last month, prompting more than 2,000 people to sign a petition opposing the measure.

Last month, a convoy of vehicles descended on the council’s Angus House headquarters in Forfar in protest against the charges.

Yesterday, police confirmed that two of the new solar-powered parking meters had been torched in the latest

‘Vandalism does not help anyone’

act of defiance. Officers said the machines ‘had their keypads and card slots damaged by a flame, causing melting and scorch damage’.

Barrie Ewart, who runs Autosales in nearby Kirriemuir, launched the original petition, claiming that the charges adversely affect businesses in the area.

He said: ‘I am still actively campaigning for the removal of these meters and parking charges. Times are hard for a lot of small businesses and these parking charges are only making things worse.’

But Mr Ewart condemned the vandalism, adding: ‘That is no way to go about things. We are hoping to persuade the council to rethink their decision. Vandalising the meters doesn’t help anyone.’

Other shopkeepers in Brechin agreed that while they opposed the charges, the vandalism was wrong.

Jennifer Tait, who runs Sunrise, a Fairtrade and vegan food store on High Street, said: ‘What is that going to achieve? Someone will have to foot the bill for that now.’

Mark Wilson, who works in the Hardware Store on St David Street, added: ‘That is crazy. The taxpayers will have to pay for them to get repaired.’

Council chiefs dismissed opposition to the charges despite last month’s protest and warned the charges ‘are here to stay’.

An Angus Council spokesman said damage to meters at the City Road South and City Road West car parks had been reported to police after they were damaged last week.

He added: ‘Further vandalism to two machines at Church Street and Maisondieu Lane East car parks has now been reported.’ Councillor Mark Salmond said: ‘There is never any valid excuse for wanton vandalism.

‘These are not acts of protest – they are criminal actions that achieve nothing other than inconvenience and cost to the public purse.’

A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘The cost of repairs runs into four figures for each machine.

‘These are crimes that will cost the public thousands of pounds, along with causing huge inconvenience.’