Questions for ERC on parking petition

Parking has caused controversy in the area since enforcement was handed over from police to the local authority in spring last year — with many residents and business complaining that outdated rules are killing Clarkston’s high street.

The petition was organised by Clarkston business Eat Deli and submitted last summer — but a response to an FOI calling for any petitions submitted to the council regarding decriminalised parking received the response: “I can confirm a nil return from East Renfrewshire Council.”

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw told The Extra: “There can only be one correct answer to the question:

“It may be that these conflicting responses are due to an administrative error, but if this petition was never received many people will have questions to answer.”

Councillor Stewart Miller, campaigning alongside the MSP, added: “This petition represented the strength of feeling among local business owners and residents about the cack handed way decriminalised parking was introduced in Clarkston.

“With businesses and residents still contacting me with concerns, I hope that this petition was taken into account during the review of Clarkston and Busby waiting and loading restrictions.”

An ERC spokesman has confirmed that the petition was received on July 2.

He added: “The views expressed in this petition, and subsequent responses made in relation to the ongoing Clarkston waiting restrictions review, have all been taken into account when formulating new parking proposals.

“As part of the legal process, these proposals were recently advertised as a draft Traffic Regulation Order.

“If substantiated objections are received, a public hearing may be required— failing which the draft order will be presented to council in September and implemented thereafter.”