The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Car park fees are costing jobs: claim
Angus traders warn businesses will fold if charges do not go
Councillors have been told they do not deserve to represent the people of Angus because of the “contempt” they have shown for them over the introduction of parking charges.
Business owner Margaret Robertson hit out at a meeting of the full council in Forfar yesterday as she called on elected members who were against the fees to “stand up and be counted”.
Mrs Roberston led a deputation of traders who blame the charges for plummeting takings and job losses, and warn businesses will fold if the charges do not go.
As the stormy session went ahead, parking machines across Angus were declared out of order due to a nationwide failure of the 02 network. Angus Council said meters would remain covered until the matter is resolved.
It also emerged that the cost of repairing four parking machines which were set on fire by vandals is likely to top £6,500 — more than a week’s worth of income from the controversial scheme.
Angus councillors have been told to fall on their swords over the controversial introduction of parking charges in the county.
Business owner Margaret Robertson accused elected members of “showing a contempt for the whole of Angus” as she delivered a broadside at a meeting of the full council in Forfar yesterday.
Mrs Robertson, who represents the Angus Business and Retailers Association, told councillors: “By not answering questions posed to you, you are showing an arrogance beyond belief.
“If you can’t, or won’t fulfil your obligations to the people of Angus, then you should seriously consider your own resignation because at this moment any credibility you have as capable decisionmakers is nil.”
Mrs Robertson said the council’s decision to impose the charges for off-street parking was to blame for businesses having to pay off staff.
She said sales at her business had dropped by 23% and, if the situation continued, she predicted that up to six businesses would close over the next year in Brechin alone.
She also revealed the response to a Freedom of Information request she had received earlier in the day which gave the total cost to introduce the scheme as more than £240,000, which includes 40 meters installed at a cost of £118,000. She added that the wage costs associated with the process amounted to an additional £500,000.
The cash-strapped local authority, which has resisted calls to install meters which accept cash, has predicted the scheme could raise £700,000 a year.
However, at current rates, machinegenerated income would fail to achieve even half of that sum.
Carnoustie and district Independent councillor David Cheape said: “I think we are at the point of needing empirical evidence about the decline in footfall and takings.”
Brechin and Edzell SNP councillor Kenny Braes said: “You don’t need figures to see the devastating impact that the charges have had.”
The deputation of business people at yesterday’s meeting came after a network failure felled all of the parking meters in the county, and after four of the machines were vandalised.
A senior council source has suggested the damaged meters may have to be replaced.
“Any credibility you have as capable decisionmakers is nil. MARGARET ROBERTSON