£2 parking fee proposal needs clarity
A Dunblane councillor has called for the council to end “confusion” over a parking plan which has courted controversy in the area.
The plans, initially agreed by the council’s environment committee back in April, will see a range of measures introduced to improve access for residents and business owners in Dunblane in the face of long-running complaints over capacity.
But a lack of clarity over proposals to introduce a £2 parking charge in peak hours at the Millrow and Haining car parks - a measure designed to quell levels of commuter parking in the town centre - has prompted fury from locals who rely on it to park their own vehicles or to work.
The charges were raised in an exchange at last week’s meeting of Dunblane Community Council and the case has since been taken up by Green representative Alasdair Tollemache.
Mr Tollemache told the Observer: “On this issue, there has been a miscommunication about the Millrow and Haining car parks which suggests that potentially residents would have to pay the £2 daily charge.
“This is a mistake because this is not the case, as was the decision of the committee last April, so I will now be asking Stirling Council to write a letter to all of the residents involved to make sure that they understand they can apply for a free permit to park in these car parks.”
Meanwhile, fellow ward councillor Graham Houston asked for patience for the local community as they worked out the plans.
He said: “These measures were specifically designed to put off commuters and free up space for shoppers in the High Street.
“We recognise that it’s not ideal for traders who may open at 7am as they may have to move their cars from the High Street to the Millrow to avoid the charges, but I believe there are three businesses that are open at that time, so they could park outside their premises and then move down later.
“There is still an issue to come to terms with over parking for residents and there are still various options being mooted.
“This is a proposal that has been brought forward and then it can be looked at in six months to see how it is working.”
The details of the Community Parking Management Plan for the town was given the green light by councillors after a public consultation and independent parking survey designed to gather views from the community.
Alongside the proposals for parking meters at the two car parks, there is also provision for the creation of 16 additional parking bays in the town centre, as well as the introduction of coach parking on Perth Road and a new drop off/pick up zone at the station.
But residents have been left unhappy after a lack of clarity in the Traffic Restriction Order accompanying the plans, which is out for public consultation until February 18.
At Tuesday’s meeting, member Rosie Hunter said it was “crucial” for shop owners in the high street that staff starting early in the morning, as well as residents, had access to the car park.
Former chairman Terence O’Byrne added that the restrictions at the Haining site would harm nearby residents and claimed £2 a day wasn’t “much of a barrier” to stop commuters parking in the town.
And Mr Tollemache believes the council needs to issue a fresh TRO to satisfy fears over parking charges for locals.
He added: “I think the council need to look into issuing a new TRO for the plans because it is confusing for people in its current state.
“We also need to agree on the precise mechanism of operation of the permits for each car park - including the geographic area entitled to receive one - and that must be part of any replacement TRO.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “The Community Parking Management Plan for Dunblane was developed in partnership with the local community and following an extensive consultation process.
“It aims to address concerns about availability of parking and introduce arrangements which improves the provision and access to meet the needs of residents, businesses and visitors, and support the economy and community of Dunblane, taking into account environmental improvements and sustainability travel.
“The introduction of chargeable parking in the Haining and Millrow car parks between 7am and 8.30am is designed to free up the town centre for access to shops and businesses. Local residents who live adjacent to the carpark will be provided with the option of parking permits.”