Parking charges fire up election debate
Council candidates talk about plans if elected in May
A review of Hamilton’s “excessive” parking charges has been promised by the town’s SNP group – if they are successful in May’s council election.
The group say the review “will assess the impact parking charges have on the town centre with a view to bringing in a change in approach”.
However, the proposals do not extend to scrapping parking charges altogether.
Instead, the group will consider the possibility of a “grace period” being introduced, offering an hour of free parking, and exploring “short-term, on-street parking if Quarry Street is opened to traffic”.
Citing the consultation carried out by Angela Crawley MP and Christina Mckelvie MSP, the SNP candidates believe there is an appetite for a different approach to parking in Hamilton town centre.
Candidate for Hamilton North and East, Jason Douglas, said: “We have a plan to bring people, business and jobs back into Hamilton and changing the current parking regime plays an important role in that.
“Whilst we recognise that parking is just part of the problem in town centre, we believe that it is also part of the solution.
“We want to empower communities to get involved in the decision making process, and on this their voice is clear – change has to come.”
He added: “Our proposals are not to completely remove parking charges, but to change the way South Lanarkshire Council think about our town centre.
“At the moment, Hamilton has some of the most excessive car parking charges in South Lanarkshire and, as a result, people take their business elsewhere.
“We believe that if car parking charges are reviewed and a free period is introduced, more people will use the town centre, more people will stay for longer and therefore pay for parking and as a result, there won’t be almost 50 empty shops.”
The proposed review was welcomed by Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley, who said: “This is good news for our town centre.
“We know from the ‘Our Town, Your Voice’ consultation that parking charges turn customers away – so any movement on this is welcome.
“The announcement sends a signal that, when we have the power, the SNP are willing to do things differently.”
The Advertiser reported last week that South Lanarkshire Council brought in £2.46 million in parking income in 2015-16, with a £630,000 surplus which the local authority said is invested back into its transport network.
Conservative candidate for Hamilton North and East, Martin Hose, agreed parking charges in the town centre need to be improved.
He said: “The Scottish Conservatives have long campaigned for improved car parking charges in Hamilton town centre.
“I believe we should encourage visitors and increase footfall, not use parking charges as a cash cow for the council.”
Labour candidate for the area, Davie Mclachlan, called for a “fair share” of funding from the Scottish Government to improve Hamilton town centre.
He said: “Our town has many strengths but Hamilton has not been immune to the economic and societal challenges affecting all high streets. I understand the frustrations around parking and access, and I’m committed to working with others to make improvements.
“I’m not in the business talking Hamilton down.
“Hamilton has a lot to offer and local traders work extremely hard in the era of internet shopping and out-of-town retailing to keep giving people a reason to shop locally. The SNP has of been in charge of the Scottish Government for 10 years now and I think it’s time the Minister responsible for town centres visited Hamilton to see what we have to offer.
“I don’t believe we’ve had our fair share of Holyrood funding compared to other towns of our size. All councillors elected on May 4 should unite behind our town centre and I’m committed to doing so.”