The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Hike in parking fee ‘will hurt retailers’
SNP MP Pete Wishart condemns plan for 10% increase
Businesses across Perth and Kinross will be the ultimate victims of a parking charge hike, an MP has warned.
SNP MP Pete Wishart accused the council administration of “self destruction” when it came to stimulating a fragile economy.
The 10% rise for the coming year, which was opposed by the SNP, will raise an extra £100,000 in revenue. Mr Wishart is convinced the financial benefits are outweighed by the potential damage to struggling retailers.
“Just at the very time when we need to stimulate our city centre economy and bring tourists to the area the Tories hike up parking charges by 10%,” he said.
Conservative councillor Angus Forbes defended the rise, saying it was the first in six years and money would be invested in car parks.
Parking charge rises in Perth and Kinross will hammer the struggling retail sector, a local politician fears.
SNP MP Pete Wishart has hit out at the council administration’s decision to implement a hike in charges.
The 10% rise for the coming year, which was opposed by the SNP when the budget was decided, will raise an extra £100,000 of revenue.
The increase in charges for all councilowned car parks and off-street parking comes into effect on April 30.
Conservative councillor Angus Forbes defended the decision saying it was the first increase in parking charges for six years in Perth and Kinross and parking in Perth remained far cheaper than in other Scottish cities.
Mr Wishart, however, claimed the increase could be detrimental in a fragile economy.
“This is a hike that will be deeply resented by the people of Perthshire and businesses that rely on people visiting our cities and towns,” he said.
“Just at the very time when we need to stimulate our city centre economy and bring tourists to the area the Tories hike up parking charges by 10%.
“This is an administration that would seek to self-destructively fleece the people of Perth to pay for their disastrous management of the council.”
Mr Forbes pointed out revenue from the increase in charges will be reinvested in car parks across the area.
“High quality, safer well-marketed car parks encourage people to visit and stimulate economic development,” he said.
A council spokesman added: “Improvements the council has made so far include the complete refurbishment of Perth’s Canal Street multi-storey car park and the introduction of ‘pay on foot’ parking in both Canal Street and the South Inch Car park.
“This allows the motorist the flexibility to spend more time shopping or doing business in Perth without worrying about overstaying their parking time.
“Perth and Kinross Council will continue to offer the first 15 minutes of parking free across the Perth and Kinross area, a scheme which has come into its own in this era of ‘click and collect’. This has been well received by shoppers and businesses alike.”
The on and off-street charges apply between 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday.