A new era for parking begins

Residents, businesses and visitors are being encouraged to double-check where they park, and to pay and display if appropriate.

Charges will only apply to vehicles left longer than two hours in seven Council car parks, with 21 car parks remaining free to park all day, every day.

There will be no charging in the evenings or at weekends.

Charges are being introduced to help pay for Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) locally, but will also help to support town centre businesses by freeing up spaces for shoppers.

People will have to pay to park longer than two hours in the following car parks - which have been upgraded and capacities increased where possible - between 9am and 5.30pm, Monday-Friday:

- Milngavie - Douglas Street, Mugdock Road, Stewart Street (North) and Woodburn Way

- Kirkintilloch - Barleybank and William Patrick Library

- Bearsden - Roman Road.

The first two hours will be free, with a sliding scale thereafter, up to a maximum of £5: 0-2 hours - free; 2-3 hours - £1; 3-4 hours - £2; and over 4 hours - £5.

Charges will be introduced in seven car parks - which will be monitored - totalling 460 spaces.

Parking will remain free at all times in 21 car parks - totalling 749 spaces.

Free car parks include:

- Milngavie - Mugdock Road (east), Riverside, Stewart Street (South), Ellangowan, Kersland, Milngavie Station, Milngavie Town Hall and Milngavie Library

- Kirkintilloch - David Donnelly Place, High Street, Catherine Street, Rochdale Place, Peel Park, Shamrock Street, Freeland Place, Oxford Street and Southbank House

- Bearsden - Brookwood, The Glebe, Bearsden Burgh Hall and Bearsden Station.

Councillor Alan Moir, Convener of Development and Regeneration, said: “I would encourage everyone to make sure they are aware of the changes from 4 July.

“This isn’t about generating revenue - this is about paying for parking enforcement across East Dunbartonshire and creating turnover of spaces in our town centres - ensuring people can access local shops, services and facilities.

“Parking will remain free for the first two hours in every Council parking space across East Dunbartonshire - as well as being free in the evenings and at weekends.

“This isn’t a decision which has been taken lightly. However, when the Council took on responsibility for enforcing parking restrictions from the Police, the Scottish Government required that the DPE scheme should be self-financing.

“The business case was clear that enforcement fines would not be enough to cover costs and - as a result - charging for some council-owned parking spaces would be needed in town centres.”