Parking meters proposed

The Invercargill City Council intends to install 10 parking meters in Forth St, subject to discussion with Age Concern.

The proposal is a response to a request from Age Concern manager Janette Turner, who wrote to Mayor Tim Shadbolt requesting the parking meters in a bid to make the facility more accessible for clients and volunteers.

Parking had always been an issue at the centre and it had now reached the point where people drove around and ended up going home because they could not find a parking spot close to the centre, Turner said,

‘‘Most of our

clients are on walkers, use walking sticks or have some health problems, which makes walking any distance extremely difficult,’’ she said.

Forth St had predominantly free parking, with the spaces generally filled before 9am on weekdays by people who worked in the CBD, Turner said.

‘‘We have surveyed our clients . . . and all have negative comments about the parking.

‘‘People come in to buy frozen meals and struggle to carry them to their car.’’

Turner requested that metered parking be introduced in Forth St to ensure a faster turnover of parking spaces and provide easier access for the centre’s clients.

The Invercargill City Council’s infrastructure and services committee resolved yesterday to install 10 parking meters outside Age Concern, subject to discussion.

Council roading manager Russell Pearson said Age Concern would be asked whether timing restrictions could be placed on the parking spaces, rather than meters.

‘‘The request has highlighted an issue which can easily be resolved by the installation of 10 parking meters,’’ he said.

Cr Peter Kett, who is also vicepresident of Age Concern, said it was a commonsense approach.

‘‘Many elderly people have mobility issues, so they really need [parking] right outside the door.’’