The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Free parking: Boost for shoppers and businesses in Perth city centre.
Councillor says plan ‘makes mockery of consultation’
A radical overhaul of parking in Perth city centre will be introduced early next year in an effort to boost business.
Councillors have approved a shake-up of on and off-street arrangements that will see free 15-minute parking introduced in some areas.
Officials drew up the changes after consultation with traders and residents. They said some business owners complained there is a lack of free “very short-term” parking which would support click and collect-style sales.
The new set-up – which affects only council-owned parking zones – will be reviewed after the first 12 months.
Members of Perth and Kinross Council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee approved the proposal unanimously.
Convener John Kellas said: “What I like about this is that it takes a basic, simple approach which can be understood by vast numbers of users and if we find that there are issues, we will have the opportunity to review it in a year’s time.”
However, the proposals have been described by Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett as “dismal and timid” and a failure to encourage “longer stays and larger spends”.
He called for a half-hour free parking period and more flexible payment measures at North Inch to alleviate congestion, as well as more competitive charges on Leonard’s Bank and Edinburgh Road.
“The parking review doesn’t address any of these issues,” he said. “This sort of response makes a mockery of consultation and engagement.”
The council makes £2.4 million a year from parking in Perth but it is unclear how the new system will affect its income. Costs will fall and rise in different parts of the city. For example, it will cost £1 to park on High Street, South Street and George Street for one hour, instead of £2, while it will cost £2 to stay on Rose Terrace, Barossa Street, Stormont Street and Melville Street for two hours, where the current rate is £1.20.
A council spokeswoman said the aim of the review was not to increase parking revenue but to introduce a “clearer structure to enhance business and leisure opportunities in Perth City Centre”.
The changes should go live in January.
If we find there are issues, we will have the opportunity to review it in a year.
JOHN KELLAS