The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Free parking to drive shoppers back to streets
Retail: Councillors set to consider introduction of 15-minute window
Free city centre parking could be on the cards for Inverness shoppers as part of a radical traffic shake-up by Highland Council.
Under the plans, additional parking bays could also be created.
The free parking would be limited to 15 minutes and aimed at “click and collect” customers who first do their shopping online.
Last night, the scheme was warmly welcomed by business owners who believe it will help “stimulate the local economy”.
City councillors will consider the proposition at a meeting on Thursday – along with a proposal for creating more general parking space by converting a number of loading bays to pay and display.
However, council officials conceded that “any increase in vehicles would impact on environmental pressures and congestion within the city centre”.
Inverness is poised for a parking revolution – including extra bays and free drop-off spaces in some of the busiest city streets.
Under the proposals, parking would be free for 15-minute periods in some pay and display spaces during a year-long trial designed to boost trade.
Retailers last night celebrated the prospect of making life simpler for customers, and the idea will now be considered by councillors on Thursday.
It is the brainchild of the Inverness business improvement district (Bid) initiative and aims “to allow drivers to nip into busi- nesses for ‘click and collect’ activity.”
Officials have recommended approval of the plan, although the Inverness City Committee must consider the £100 cost of adapting 17 ticket machines.
The idea has been widely hailed a success after being implemented in Perth, despite abuse of the system being reported, with some motorists repeatedly refreshing their free-time ticket.
A possible solution, to be considered by Inverness councillors, is a system that demands drivers input their registration number.
However, that technology would mean replac- ing the 17 existing pay machines – at a total cost of £85,000.
Traders and shoppers yesterday warmed to the prospect of a 15-minute window.
Castle Street-based kilt maker Duncan Chisholm said: “If we want the city centre to thrive we must make it as easy as possible for the public to shop here.
“It only takes a few minutes to collect or drop off Highland dress hired for a function. The need to find suitable parking can take a considerable slice out of customers’ busy schedules.”
David Richardson of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “The 15-minute proposal is one small step that should help make the city centre busier and the whole experience more enjoyable.”
The Inverness Bid group has a broader wish-list, including extra parking spaces in Millburn Road; to convert a loading bay to pay and display in Upper Strothers Lane; to remove the taxi rank and reduce loading bay space in Church Street; convert loading bay spaces to pay and display on Academy Street and add more bays for motorcycles in Castle Street.
The changes would add a total of 25 pay and display bays in the city.
Council officials have recommended approval of the plans for Millburn Road, Upper Strothers Lane, Church Street and Castle Street, adding a total of 17 extra bays.
If backed, they would be £1 short-stay bays and generate an estimated £50,000 per year – and cost the council £25,000 to instal the necessary machines.
Council traffic and parking officer Shane Manning acknowledges in his report to the committee that it would result in less load- ing space. He concedes “any increase in vehicles would impact on environmental pressures and congestion within the city centre.”
Bid manager Mike Smith said: “It’s important we give a positive message to people looking to come here. Increasing pay and display provision is part of that.”
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart said: “Shoppers are aware that small city centre businesses are struggling. If the 15-minute scheme goes ahead it should help stimulate the local economy.
“However, I’d be worried if it led to more congestion and increased environmental pressures.”
“We must make it as easy as possible to shop here”
Why is it that we still have to fork out £2-3 in parking charges in some places even if we have only stopped for a relatively short time for an errand at the shops or to have a quick coffee?
If it looks and feels like a rip-off , this generally turns out to be the case.
Highland Council is now on the verge of being persuaded to do something so refreshing and invigorating for long-suffering car users that you almost have to pinch yourself to check you are not dreaming.
It is actually being asked to approve free parking for the first 15 minutes in Inverness streets to make the city centre more attractive for local businesses and visitors alike.
Making money out of car parking is a big business, of course. Who knows how many millions are parked between the white lines laid out for cars at shopping malls or through councilowned meters? It is easy money.
But should councils be imposing “anti-business” charges on such a scale in the first place? The basic ethos of a council, which might be overlooked in these brutal times of cash cutbacks, is to look after local people and businesses.
Elsewhere, Aberdeen city council has often been accused of driving people away from city centre businesses with such fees, and a fresh attempt is being made here to relax some charges. Many will urge Highland Council to do the same, and offering limited free parking in Inverness is a good start. As one leading Inverness retailer said, the whole point should be to make shopping more enjoyable, not less.
“As one retailer said, the point should be to make shopping more enjoyable”