‘Money grabbing’ parking charges plan ditched after petition

On-street: Following a public consultation it is proposed no fees are introduced

People power has forced Angus Council to scrap plans to bring in parking charges in town centres.

Campaigner Jill Scott warned the implementation of on-street parking charges would have turned the burghs into “tumbleweed towns”.

She said: “The voices of 9,066 voters, enraged by the promised introduction of punitive parking charges throughout Angus have forced the council to not just do a U-turn but to somersault away from their original plan.

“I am delighted that our population has recognised that we do not have to lie down and accept ill-researched, money grabbing policies that damage our High Street businesses and fleece the general public.

“I want to thank Councillor Bob Myles for working with me and for exerting pressure on his 27 colleagues to make them see sense.

“This decision will come as a great relief to the many High Street traders and their customers who were dreading the introduction of charges that would have turned the burghs into tumbleweed towns.

“I hope that councillors will take on board the powerful message being

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The voices of 9,066 voters ... have forced the council to not just do a U-turn but to somersault away from their original plan. CAMPAIGNER JILL SCOTT

delivered by a watchful public. Thank you everybody who signed this policychanging petition.”

A recommendation to introduce parking charges for off-street parking will be considered by the council.

Following a recent 28-day public consultation it is proposed that no charges are introduced for on-street parking.

There was public support for a free parking period on-street (proposed at 15 minutes in the consultation), with a clear preference for it to be 30 minutes.

Now proposed is the retention of the free 30 minute on-street parking in town centres as it currently exists.

Off-street parking charges will be set at £1 per hour up to a maximum of £4 per day.

A £260 yearly parking permit for offstreet car parks will also be made available for all council car parks.

Proposals to introduce parking charges will continue to support blue badge holders, with free parking across town centres.

The commitment to use car parking to help balance the budget had been passed unanimously by Angus Council as part of the budget in February.

Finance convener Angus Macmillan Douglas said: “It is no secret that this council is facing severe budgetary constraints with the decreasing funding available to local authorities well publicised.

“Remaining as one of the few councils that do not charge for parking in towns is something that we can no longer afford.

“The proposed charge will still be less than is charged by our neighbours in Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth.”

gstrachcan@thecourier.co.uk

Picture: Gareth Jennings. Jill Scott with the successful petition signed by traders and shopkeepers.