New car parking rules hit business
Responders cite trade loss
Businesses in Crieff have claimed new parking measures introduced in December have had a negative impact on trade.
Parking meters were first mooted for Crieff over six years ago and new rules, which also include free stays in Leaden-flower and King Street car parks, came into force following many months of public consultation led by Perth and Kinross Council in conjunction with other agencies.
Although the meters fall outwith its remit, those behind the Crieff Succeeds Business Improvement District ( BID) project are currently working closely with town centre
firms to monitor the situation
The BID team is conducting an ongoing survey to gather substantive data, which will eventually be handed over to the local authority to help develop a means of improving the town’s parking situation.
BID manager John Bray told the Herald that, of 27 responses already received from businesses, around a third have said that they have lost 30 per cent or more of their trade in May this year compared to figures for the same month last year. Some companies have stated they have lost up to 50 per cent of trade.
To allow for other factors, such as recent road works and restrictions in the High Street, the survey will run so that month- on- month comparisons can be made for the rest of the year.
Mr Bray said: “They are all blaming it [the loss of trade] on the parking restrictions. Nobody has said anything great about the parking.”
Mr Bray urged all local businesses that may be affected to sign up to the Crieff Succeeds BID monthly newsletter. There the link to the Crieff parking meter survey can be accessed and they can participate in the surveys.
Locals have also been airing their concerns and ideas at community council meetings. Suggestions include extending the parking times in the car parks so that people can pay extra to park longer than the free two-hour period and thus spend more time in town, and changing on-street restrictions from 9am to 5pm to 10am to 4pm.
And Crieff Succeeds will soon be setting up a public survey on its website so that residents can also give feedback.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said the new parking arrangements in Crieff were introduced following a survey where 65% of respondents stated that they would prefer a change to the parking arrangements so the King Street and Leadenflower car parks would be free, with parking paid for in the High Street and James Square.
“Three options were then considered and discussed with the Crieff and Upper Strathearn Partnership and their preferred option – removal of parking charges from Leadenflower Street, Leadenflower Place and King Street, retaining charges in James Square and the introduction of charges onstreet within the town core – was implemented.
“We have received some, limited, feedback to date regarding the new parking regulations and will be continuing to monitor these arrangements.’’