Parking charges to come back into force

Perth and Kinross Council suspended car parking charges during lockdown in order to help key workers who could no longer access public transport to travel to work, and to reduce the need for people to handle cash.

Now that restrictions are lifting and streets are getting busier, charges will be reintroduced from August 1.

And, in line with the council’s budget decision in March, charges will be increased by 10 per cent.

A spokesperson for the local authority said reintroducing charges would encourage the turnover of parking spaces and, therefore, visitors to shops, cafes and restaurants when they reopen.

He continued: “It will also help keep pavements and streets safer for physical distancing between increased numbers of pedestrians and cyclists, as government advice remains to use active travel where possible.”

Payment machines will also be checked and sanitised.

Resident permit and season ticket-holders will have the expiry date of their permits extended to make up for the period of suspended payments.

Karen Reid, the council’s chief executive, said: “We are doing everything we can to keep people safe while supporting the local economy.

“People in Perth and Kinross want safe and wellmaintained parking facilities, and our local businesses are hoping for high footfall as they reopen.

“Reintroducing parking charges will encourage a healthy turnover of spaces, while our parking attendants will help to make sure people are parking considerately.

“Our parking attendants have been re-tasked over recent months and I would like to personally thank them for the fantastic work they have done delivering food and prescriptions to our citizens.”

The council has published guidance for businesses. This includes relaxing the usual processes to allow businesses to occupy outside spaces.