Parking charges return to Angus

Council believes fees will generate £700,000 of income

More than two decades of free car parking come to an end in Angus today.

Under a scheme projected to generate £700,000 a year for the council, charges will come into force at 33 off-street car parks across the district.

The proposal has been dogged by controversy and delay since being brought forward as part of the 2018 budget.

A rate of £1 an hour, up to a maximum of £4 for four to nine hours, is being brought in.

On-street parking remains free for up to half an hour in towns across the district.

Residents have slammed the authority for an annual permit charge of £260, which they say is higher than rates in cities including Edinburgh and London. So far, 54 annual and 154 six-monthly permits have been purchased, equating to just over £34,000 of income.

One worry is, because while charging you do not pay for parking, electric car owners will leave their cars there for longer than the stated time. JEAN CLARK

Just over 200 drivers have signed up for a parking permit under a new charging scheme which comes into force in Angus today.

The changes, projected to generate £700,000 a year for the council, will come into force at 33 off-street car parks across the district at 8.30am.

The proposal was put forward as part of the council’s 2018 budget. A rate of £1 an hour, up to a maximum of £4 for four to nine hours, is being introduced.

Charging had been due to come into force on October 1. It was delayed following a setback with the equipment needed to run the solar-powered cashless payment machines.

The authority has revealed 54 annual and 154 six-monthly permits were purchased online in advance of the charges coming in — adding up to a total income of just over £34,000. On-street parking remains free for up to half an hour in towns across the district.

Residents have slammed the authority for setting an annual permit charge of £260, saying it is comparable to what people living in cities such as Edinburgh and London have to pay.

Electric vehicle owners in Angus have also been disappointed to learn they will not enjoy the same benefit as Dundee drivers who can park for free as long as they register with the city council.

A spokesperson for Angus Council said free parking for EVS would only apply when they are using a charging point. A handful of car parks will not be subject to charging.

Brechin EV owner Jean Clark said: “There is a lack of charging points in Brechin. One worry is, because while charging you do not pay for parking, electric car owners will leave their cars there for longer than the stated time.”

Having already been critical of the authority for leaving residents with less than two weeks to sign up for a half-year or yearly permit, she has now raised the EV issue with councillors in the hope the rules might be changed.

“My dilemma now is whether I buy a parking permit at a cost of £260, to then be advised that on February 1 2019 all electric cars parking in Angus Council car parks are free,” added Mrs Clark.