Radical proposals to smash ‘ring of steel’ around city centre

Pay-and-display meters and permits for residents in proposal to tackle issues resulting from commuters

Pay-and-display parking could be introduced to residential streets surrounding Perth city centre as part of a radical new plan to force out commuters.

Residents would have to apply for permits to park for free outside their homes, under the strategy being considered by Perth and Kinross Council.

The wide-ranging review has been prompted by ongoing complaints about a “ring of steel” of commuter cars parked in residential and business areas of the city during the day.

Areas around North Muirton regularly fill up with vehicles as non-residents attempt to avoid charges in the city centre.

Next week councillors will be asked to approve the action plan to crack down on “inconsiderate” parking, which a working group claimed was endangering public safety. Some residents have raised concerns that emergency services could be prevented from reaching their homes because of badly-parked cars.

It is proposed to create formal parking bays on more than 60 hot-spot areas around the city.

Hunter Hope, the council’s parking, public transport and civic contingencies manager, said the bays would stop drivers blocking driveways and corners. Vehicles sitting outwith the markings could be slapped with a penalty.

If problems persist a time limit of up to three or four hours could be introduced in some areas, while in the worst affected spots pay-and-display machines would be installed.

Residents could apply for a permit to exempt them from charges and time limits.

Mr Hope said the first phase of parking bays would hopefully encourage positive behaviour by motorists, but tougher measures could be taken if issues continued.

“This therefore acts as an incentive to commuters to park their cars responsibly, to avoid more significant measures which could cause them greater inconvenience,” he said.

A report to go before the authority’s environment and infrastructure committee on Wednesday states that the worst affected areas for commuter parking are Muirton Bank, Muirton Place, Florence Place, Harley Terrace and Harley Place.

The action plan, which was put together with input from North Inch and Muirton Community Council, proposes short-term measures such as a team-up with Stagecoach to offer free journeys in Perth in the run-up to Christmas, and an incentivised permit scheme for underused parking at Edinburgh Road and St Leonards Bank.

Medium-term proposals include a hopper bus in the city centre, while plans for three new park-and-ride sites are being progressed.

Residents in North Muirton have welcomed the shake-up. Mother-ofthree Donna Fraser said: “We’ve been in Muirton Bank for about four years and parking has always been a sore point.

“Pay-and-display machines could work, but does that mean my mum and dad would have to pay when they come to visit?”

Another resident said: “You just can’t get parked round here after 9am. It’s like a ring of steel around the city centre.”

Bridgend and Kinnoull is one of several areas around the city centre where parking meters may be installed.