Patience rewarded as long wait nears an end

News of a possible review of a further East Renfrewshire district’s parking restrictions comes as residents declare they have run out of patience.

The council at the start of reviews asked residents in Netherlee to “be patient” after reprioritising the area further down the pecking order for a review three years ago.

One householder has unsurprisingly accused the council of dragging its feet on the issue, adding: “I personally could have walked every street and reviewed every yellow line in less than half this time.”

He adds his voice to many in the area who reported incidents of residents in nearby streets objecting to people parking in a street that they don’t live on to avoid multiple parking fines.

Last year, The Extra reported on people almost coming to blows over the issue.

Residents association member Barbara Rourke told the paper at the time that the longterm delay of a review was “pitting neighbour against neighbour”.

However, a spokeswoman for the council has confirmed that a preliminary consultation may be taking place in weeks rather than months.

The spokeswoman said: “Work is ongoing to prepare an informal consultation into the review of waiting and loading restrictions in Netherlee.

“It is our intention to letter drop all premises within 50m of any proposed change to the restrictions.

“We shall also have a questionnaire and an exhibition, hopefully, in Clarkston Library.

“All information will also be available on the council’s website. We are finalising dates and further information will be issued soon.”

While no date has been given as to when the consultation will formally commence, the prospect of any movement towards a lifting of restrictions comes as a welcome chink of light at the end of a long tunnel for many residents.

However, one businessman, who preferred not to be named, still holds reservations, saying: “The question now is what restrictions will be lifted and which will remain in place.”