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Written by Colin Cameron
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Monday, 22 February 2010 10:37 |
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posted Monday February 22, 10.35am
Inveraray people have reacted with anger and frustration as Argyll and Bute council announced plans which could mean year-round parking charges in the Royal Burgh, with Luss on Loch Lomond-side facing the same fate.
Locals have until just Friday (February 26) to register objections to the plans with the local authority.
The proposals are part of the sweeping range of measures agreed recently to address an £8 million shortfall in council funding, but the decision to give the go-ahead has proved unpopular, with some locals believing that winter parking will lose the council money and will penalise locals unnecessarily.
The year-round charging plans are not new; they were first mooted last year before being shelved in the face of protests by local residents and business owners. Having lain on the shelf, the council then dusted the scheme down and incorporated it into the draft council budget published in January.
At the council budget meeting on February 11, Councillor Alison Hay voiced concerns ahead of the budget decision. "This is seen as a tax on locals during the winter," she said. Cllr Hay sought an assurance from the council's Director of Operational Services, Andy Law, that nothing would happen until a review of car parking across Argyll and Bute was completed. Mr Law confirmed that the proposals pre-date this year's budget, adding that a report is due to be brought before the council in April. The point behind the proposal, said Mr Law, was to bring Inveraray and Luss into line with the rest of Argyll and Bute, which charges for car parking all year round.
In reply, Cllr Hay commented: "Just because everywhere else has it, doesn't mean that it fits Inveraray's situation.
"I hope the views of local people will be fully considered before any changes are made."
One local man, who did not wish to be named, said: "I think this is ridiculous. How much money will they make over the winter in Inveraray?
"It will just be the people who live and work here who will be penalised for parking outside their home or place of work. If we are being brought into line with Oban, Dunoon and Helensburgh, main shopping centres with big populations, how on earth can they compare Inveraray with these big towns? Fair enough when there are a lot of tourists during the summer, but the place is dead during winter."
We spoke to a day tripper, who had parked in one of the areas subject to the new proposals. She remarked: "I don't mind paying a small amount to park, but locals should get some form of concession when they have to park all year round."
The car parking areas affected will be the Avenue, Front Street/Coffee House and A83 opposite Semple’s Garage. Charging will be based on a rate of 80p/hour.
Notices posted around Inveraray, signed by Andy Law, inform the public that written grounds for objection should be sent to the council’s Head of Democratic Services and Governance – e-mail address charles.reppke@argyll-bute.gov.uk – at Kilmory by February 26.
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Last Updated on Monday, 22 February 2010 10:59 |
