The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Parking ‘free for all’ warning
Perth and Kinross Council leader Ian Miller says the introduction of free off-street parking on Saturdays would lead to a “free for all” which would be “disastrous” for retailers.
THE LEADER of Perth and Kinross Council says the introduction of free offstreet parking on Saturdays could result in the cancellation of infrastructure projects that are essential for the expansion of the Fair City.
Councillor Ian Miller was reacting to the proposal by Councillor Alexander Stewart, who said a number of small businesses support the move.
Mr Stewart said the off-street parking initiative would cost “a few thousand pounds” and would be a “shot in the arm” for the retail sector in the area.
His comments were seized upon by Mr Miller, however, who believes the proposal would lead to a “free-for-all” parking situation in Perth and Kinross and would deny the authority vital funds.
“A more short-sighted view of Perth’s future would be difficult to imagine,” he said.
“The reality is that Perth faces a population growth over the next few years that’s equivalent to a town the size of Stonehaven being built on the northern and western edges of the city.
“That will not be possible without new access roads to service these areas.”
He continued: “Councillor Stewart’s comments need to be seen in the context of his group’s proposals for the council’s budget. Their method of paying for free offstreet parking on Saturdays was to cancel the infrastructure which will deliver the future expansion of Perth city.
“The proposal would simply lead to a free-for-all in parking.
“In my view, shop and office workers would, rightly, take advantage of this free offer and fill up all of the available spaces by 9am. This would mean that shoppers would be faced with full car parks and, therefore, would be unable to spend in the shops.
“It would be hard to think of a more disastrous consequence for our retail sector.”
He continued: “I have always been in favour of looking at rational ways of improving parking.
“That is why this administration is presently installing pay on exit machines at the South Inch car park in Perth.
“As soon as that system has been tested we will install it on other off street car parks.
“We continue to invest in new parking spaces, wherever possible.
“Evidence of that can be seen in last week’s decision at the strategic policy and resources committee to provide a new car park at Charles Street, Perth, at a cost of £70,000.”
In response, Mr Stewart said: “The Conservatives have continually tried to support the retail sector and customers alike by proposing that pay on exit is introduced, as well as managing to freeze parking charges across the council area, which were proposed to increase by 10%.
“The free parking on a Saturday move would have been another method of doing this but it fell on deaf ears by the SNP administration.”