New measures proposed to address parking issues

Councillors have proposed a new set of measures to address parking problems on Skye.

A consultation will take place on creating a twohour stay, off-street public car park in Broadford to allow the public to better access local services.

And The Green and Somerled Square public car parks in Portree will have their short stay car park tariffs amended, offering a maximum of two hours car parking at a revised cost of £1 for up to an hour and £2 for up to two hours.

Alternative free long stay parking will still be available in Portree at the Bayfield car park.

The proposed new car park in Broadford North would have the same charges but the first 30 minutes would be free.

Free long stay parking in Broadford would still continue to be available at the Broadford South car park. The ideas were discussed by councillors on the Skye and Raasay Committee this week, and follow major concerns raised in recent months about the ability of Skye’s infrastructure to cope with the influx of tourists.

Committee chairman, councillor John Gordon, said the parking problems were a priority following feedback from constituents. He added: “We now have a full time parking enforcement officer who has been working on the island since August 15, so this and the new parking measures will I feel go a long way to provide a better balance for drivers who want to park up for a quick visit to shops and to access local services, and those who want to park up for a longer time.”

“We now have a full time parking enforcement officer”