Expansion of parking zone agreed

First phase starts October

A new parking management plan for Stirling has been approved by councillors.

Stirling Council’s environment and housing committee agreed recently that the Controlled Parking Zone be expanded.

Phase one will include the city centre and Top of the Town area; phase two Kings Park; and phase three Braehead.

Implementation of phase one is scheduled to begin in October this year, with phases two and three shortly afterwards.

Within the existing Controlled Parking Zone there are 1,660 parking spaces in the city, which will be increased to 2,162 under the new proposals.

A local steering group, an independent parking survey and community drop in sessions, plus online and paper questionnaires, were said to have helped inform the final Community Parking Management Plan (CPMP).

Council officials said the community and local businesses had shown a strong desire to see ticket machines introduced which offer a range of payment options, such as cash, debit card, contactless and pay by phone.

The authority is to invest in signs, lines, street poles and ticket machines, with officers set to investigate implementing cashless payment systems. Environment and housing committee convenor Councillor Jim Thomson said: “The views of the community were vital in helping shape the way that the new parking management plan will benefit Stirling.

“A well-managed parking and transport system is key for any successful city, but a critical part of getting that right is being able to balance demand for parking without impacting on growth opportunities.”

Vice convenor Councillor Danny Gibson said: “This plan will help manage commuter parking within the city centre, while taking into account the needs of businesses and those who work there.”

City centre Tory councillor Ross Oxburgh, however, was taking a more cautious approach.

He said: “The priority here has to be creating a scheme which best serves the businesses and residents in the city centre. If it is a genuine attempt to make it easier to park and visit Stirling it will enjoy our support but we will be watching this very closely.

“We must ensure that the temptation to raise more and more cash from parking charges is resisted.”