£ 1.2M OUT OF POCKET
Meanies dish out 20,707 parking fines
Motorists have been hit by a whopping £ 1.2m in parking fines in nearly four years, the Post can reveal.
Drivers who illegally park their vehicles on streets and council car parks across South Ayrshire were issued with 20,707 fines from May 2014.
That’s equivalent to about 100 parking tickets being dished out every week.
Figures from the local authority through the Freedom of Information Act have revealed the streets in South Ayrshire where you are mostly likely to get a ticket.
The data, obtained by the Post, shows that Wellington Square, Ayr, has been the most ticketed street in South Ayrshire since May 2014, with 1686 tickets issued.
Anne Gordon, 57, of Mossblown, said: “It is shocking. We shouldn’t have to pay to park. What are they doing with the £ 1.2m? Where is the money going?”
Drivers who illegally park their vehicles on streets and council car parks across South Ayrshire were issued with 20,707 fines from May 2014.
That’s equivalent to about 100 parking tickets being dished out every week.
Figures obtained from the local authority through the Freedom of Information Act have revealed the streets in South Ayrshire where you are mostly likely to get a ticket.
The data shows that Wellington Square, Ayr, has been the most ticketed street in South Ayrshire since May 2014, with 1686 tickets issued.
Drivers face paying 30p for the first 30 minutes. The maximum stay, which is three hours, costs a total of £ 3.
This is closely followed by Ayr’s Mill Wynd with 1394 tickets, Burns Statute Square 1044, High Street 970 and Sandgate 880.
The other most ticketed streets in the top 10 were also in Ayr – River Street 691, Cathcart Street 687, Fort Street, 600 and Barns Street 534. The only other in the top 10 outside Ayr was Prestwick’s Main Street with 615.
Ayr. Carrick and Cumnock MP Bill Grant claimed the figures were staggering.
He said: “I am at a loss at the council’s policy on parking charges where on the one hand we hear of free parking and on the other hand we hear of the desire to increase the cost of parking.
“We can all make a difference to our High Street by choosing to support our local retailers noting a new investment in council offices which will retain staff in the High Street and a significant investment in the old Clydesdale Bank which will soon become offices and a community facility on the ground floor.
“Let’s applaud the vibrancy of Ayr Central mall and support the retailers who stick with Ayr High Street but beware the parking charges.”
Ayr MSP John Scott said parking charges are driving some shoppers out of town.
“I have long expressed my concerns that excessively restrictive parking regulations are damaging to Ayr town centre when we should instead be looking to improve ease of access to our main shopping centres to help boost local retailers,” he added.
And the figures come as new charges for motorists are set to be introduced at further car parks in Ayr, Prestwick and Troon
The move, which will coin in more than £ 120,000 for the council, has been labelled a “shambles” by critics.
Officials want to introduce £ 1- an- hour charges in a move feared “devastating” for tourism and trade.
And a daily charge could leave motorists £ 2 out of pocket.
Ayr’s busy Blackburn car park is another in line for new charges.
Prestwick’s Bellevue Road car park, home to more 100 spaces, is among those being targeted.
Fees will also be introduced for the first time on Troon seafront at THREE separate locations.
The South Beach, Walker Hall and Italian Gardens car parks will all charge motorists.
Mr Scott said: “I have real concerns that the proposal by South Ayrshire Council to increase car park charges, and indeed to introduce charges to car parks in Prestwick and Troon, will only make matters worse.
“We need a parking system that works for the benefit of our town centres, not one that is geared towards raising revenue from shoppers and other motorists visiting the area.”
Top 10 Prestwick streets and breakdown: Main Street, 615, Kyle Street 348, Station Road 180, Boyd Street 170, St Quivox Road 124, Gardiner Street 108, Ladykirk Road 75, Hunter Street 54, Salisbury Place 43, Bank Street 38. Total 1755
Top 10 Troon streets and breakdown: West Portland Street 245, Portland Street, 240, South Beach 200, Ayr Street 139, Templehill, Troon 106, Academy Street, Troon, 66, Barassie Street, 20, Bradan Road 13, Union Street 9 Dallas Road 2. Total 1040.
Top 10 Girvan streets and breakdown: Dalrymple Street 166, Hamilton Street 20, Ailsa Street West 16, Duncan Street 15, Wesley Road 15, Wilson Street 8, Ailsa Street East 5, Bridge Street 3 and Duff Street 1. Total 249
Maybole nil
Top tickets streets in South Ayrshire and breakdown: Wellington Square 1686, Mill Wynd 1394, Burns Statue Square 1044, High Street 970, Sandgate 808, River Street 691, Cathcart Street 687, Main Street, Prestwick 615, Fort Street 600, Barns Street 534. Total 9029.
Motorists breaching parking regulations face £ 60 fines but are asked to cough up £ 30 if paid within 14 days.
A council spokeswoman said: “Our people and places make South Ayrshire and we have ambitious plans, as set out in our Council Plan, for ensuring our towns and villages become the best they can be.
“This includes improving our public spaces; maximising use of empty buildings; supporting local businesses to start up and grow through our AMBITION programme; creating a dedicated team to review our activities in town centres as well as supporting our rural areas; improving signage and promotion; creating local place plans in conjunction with local communities; tackling litter; better branding and marketing to increase visitor numbers and spend; and supporting our people and communities to have more pride in our places.”
We need a parking system that works for the benefit of our town centres, not one that is geared to raising revenue from shoppers and other motorists