Anger at council’s parking plan snub

A councillor claims Shotts would be as well being in the Far East after bungling council bosses failed to include the town in its recent parking proposals.

At the council’s infrastructure committee last week, councillors agreed to decriminalise parking enforcement across North Lanarkshire with particular reference made to North Lanarkshire’s seven town centres.

However, within the council report there was no mention of Shotts despite it being awarded town status back in 2015.

Wishaw councillor Fiona Fotheringham raised the issue that Shotts had not been specifically mentioned and was told: “Officers will be working across North Lanarkshire, wherever there’s a need for decriminalised parking enforcement.”

Shotts councillor Tommy Cochrane believes the town has once again been forgotten.

He said: “The seven other towns in North Lanarkshire were mentioned in the committee but there was nothing about Shotts.

“One councillor asked the question on my behalf but it’s another slap in the face to Shotts. “I call it the Far East of North Lanarkshire. “We would be as well having a Hong Kong postcode as the council don’t seem interested in us at all. If you look at the Glasgow City Deal and indeed the council’s Local Plan there is absolutely nothing in it for Shotts or indeed the whole of Fortissat.”

A council spokesperson said: “It was stated at the Infrastructure Committee that the Decriminalised Parking Enforcement scheme will cover all towns, including Shotts.

“The parking enforcement officers will operate as mobile teams across North Lanarkshire.”

Councillor Cochrane also hit out at the planned reduction in opening hours of Shotts Leisure Centre.

The potential part-closure of the centre, which would mean opening from noon to 8pm, has been slammed by residents with Councillor Cochrane backing their fight to save it from partial closure.

He added: “We are trying to attract developers and businesses to base themselves in Shotts and then they see more facilities possibly going.

“I may be old fashioned in my thinking but community facilities like leisure centres should not be run for profit.”

Shotts Community Council members have organised a public meeting to discuss the outcome of the council’s budget consultation.

It will be held on Wednesday, February 28, at 7.30pm in Shotts Bon Accord Social Club.

Community council chairman Joe Duffy added: “We wish to discuss the local authority’s plans for the investment and regeneration of Shotts as we cannot endure further losses to services and businesses in our town.”