The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Angus parking fees will not be scrapped
Council boss defiant as protesters gather at Forfar HQ
Angus parking charges will not be scrapped despite their chaotic introduction.
Council leader David Fairweather met a noisy protest convoy calling for newly-installed parking meters to be covered up but said there would be no U-turn. As dozens of vehicles descended on Angus Council headquarters in Forfar, he said: “Let’s be clear, car parking charges are here to stay.”
The start of the new charging regime has met with near-empty council car parks, confusion over payment procedures and appeals over wrongfully-issued tickets.
Brechin businessman Bruce Robertson took part in yesterday’s protest.
He said: “We feel our voices are not being heard and Angus Council accuse us of crying wolf when we say these charges will close more businesses on our high streets.”
Calls for Angus Council to do a U-turn and cover up controversial parking meters in off-street car parks have been dismissed.
Despite a protest outside the local authority’s headquarters at Angus House in Forfar, led by Kirriemuir businessman Barrie Ewart, the council issued a brief statement saying the charges “are here to stay”.
One week after meters were switched on, a convoy of cars snaked round the car park with horns blaring as drivers demonstrated their anger at the charges they claim are putting businesses at risk.
Mr Ewart, of Autosales, and Brechin businessman Bruce Robertson, of the Hardware Stores, met council leader David Fairweather and chief executive Margo Williamson as they called for the meters to be scrapped.
Mr Ewart, chairman of the Kirriemuir and Local Business Association, handed over a letter “on behalf of the people of Angus and businesses” stating their presence was “borne out of frustration and the need for urgent action” to ensure the survival of many businesses in Angus, as well as the fair treatment of residents who live, work and shop in the town centres.
“
We feel our voices are not being heard and Angus Council accuse us of crying wolf when we say these charges will close more businesses on our high streets.
BRUCE ROBERTSON
He called for parking meters to be switched off immediately before “irretrievable” damage is done.
Mr Ewart also called for the council to meet with representatives of the public, residents and businesses to establish an acceptance policy on parking.
Mr Robertson added: “Business owners, organisations and members of the public have come together to show their frustrations at Angus Council for imposing parking charges on shoppers that support their town centre businesses.
“We feel our voices are not being heard and Angus Council accuse us of crying wolf when we say these charges will close more businesses on our high streets.”
Shortly after the last protester left, Mr Fairweather issued a statement saying: “I’ve made myself available today to receive the petition; we have already been in discussions regarding a meeting so we can hear people’s views.
“However, let’s be clear – car parking charges are here to stay.
“The roads budget has had to be reduced by 50% over the last two years and we desperately need the revenue to maintain the roads infrastructure Angus deserves.”