Petition urges U-turn over parking charges

High street: Businesses claim new tariffs are hitting profits

Hundreds of people have signed a petition urging Aberdeenshire Council to reinstate free parking.

The local authority axed free parking at the start of September, with motorists now charged 50p for the first hour.

But businesses have claimed they have taken a hit as a result, with many reporting the town centre car parks are empty.

Now a petition has been set up, with hundreds of people already backing the call for the council to think again. Josh Gall set up the petition, as he frequently used to take advantage of the free short-term parking to shop locally.

The 23-year-old, from Fyvie, said: “I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the interest people have taken.

“It’s shown me many people share my frustration at the disruption to their accessibility to services in our towns big and small.”

Across Aberdeenshire, business owners have hit out at the charges.

Dick Taylor, who owns Taylors of Banchory said: “The problem of reduced footfall is an issue as a result of this change.

“It’s concerning for all the shops in Banchory and it’s another nail in the coffin for local trade.”

Steve McQueen, of Fountainhall Wines in Stonehaven, added: “I don’t think the charges are working quite how the council have expected, and we have noticed the car park become far emptier.

“Our trade relies on people running in and out shops, so the changes really have had a negative effect.”

Ian Philip, of the nearby Aly Bali jewellery shop, added: “During the consultation period we brought together 70 businesses who opposed the changes, but the council didn’t listen.”

Banchory councillor Ann Ross has supported those fighting to keep their high streets alive.

The Conservative said: “The reasoning behind the vote was that the car park budget was making a loss, however there are consequences to this decision which we are seeing today.”

Peter Argyle, chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure services committee, said: “The new tariff was introduced to end an unsustainable deficit in the car park budget.

“It would be disappointing if people were to avoid our town centres because of an erroneous message that parking is expensive or difficult – it is neither.”

“It’s shown me many people share my frustration”

Photograph by Scott Baxter PARKING MAD: Ian Philip of Aly Bali and Steve McQueen of Fountainhall Wines say business has suffered.