Fort hotel owner wants the council slapped with ASBO
THE owner of Fort William’s popular Lime Tree An Ealdhain hotel, restaurant and art gallery is taking legal advice about slapping Highland Council with an anti-social behaviour order over late-night disturbances from the town’s nearby West End car park.
David Wilson says he has had enough of boy racers revving their car engines late at night and disturbing his guests, as well as the noise from people illegally camping overnight in the car park.
‘The last straw was on Sunday night when someone was revving a car that had an exhaust modified to sound like gunfire – in fact, we did think at first it actually was gunfire and it was reported to the police,’ Mr Wilson told us.
One of the guests at the Lime Tree on Sunday night echoed Mr Wilson’s comments.
‘The amount of noise was ridiculous – it was so loud the windows were rattling,’ she said.
Mr Wilson says the problems have been going on for years and his patience with Highland Council, which owns the car park, is now exhausted.
‘This is not just disturbing our guests at the hotel but probably a large number of residents in the centre of the town. Modified exhausts such as these are illegal but nothing ever gets done about them,’ he said.
‘But despite my numerous complaints, Highland Council is still not acting in accordance with its responsibility to manage this car park properly.
‘We really can’t put up with the levels of noise any longer and something also needs done about the illegal camping.
‘Recently I was forced to go outside and ask someone to turn off an industrial generator that they had fired up right in front of the hotel late at night, only to be attacked by the man while a woman standing nearby egged him on with shouts of, “Kill him!”.’
Mr Wilson, who has been at the Lime Tree for 22 years, said he was not injured in the affray and had not bothered reporting the assault.
‘Because the council and police seem unable to tackle these two issues, I am taking legal advice about having the council served with an ASBO because it is responsible for what happens in its own car parks,’ added Mr Wilson.
‘Highland Council has been absolutely useless and is not acting responsibly in ensuring public safety and security.
‘We even offered to pay for a barrier at the car park and to manage it for the council, but got nowhere. So enough is enough.’
Asked to respond to Mr Wilson’s criticism, a Highland Council spokesperson said the local authority was introducing amendments to the traffic order to address issues relating to overnight camping for this season.
‘Issues relating to public order or moving traffic violations are matters for Police Scotland,’ the spokesperson added.
And local Fort William police inspector Isla Campbell said she was happy to meet Mr Wilson to discuss his concerns.
‘We are aware of reports of anti-social behaviour involving vehicles in the West End car park in Fort William,’ Inspector Campbell said.
‘Fixed penalty notices have been issued to drivers and officers patrol the area, engaging with drivers.
‘Where drivers are found to be using their vehicles anti-socially, they will be dealt with appropriately.
‘I would also urge drivers using the car park to show respect for other road users, as well as taking care not to cause disruption for residents and businesses in the area.
‘Anyone with concerns about anti-social behaviour of any kind should report this to us as soon as possible so we can take suitable action.
‘You can call 101 or pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.’