Revealed – ‘hit-list’ of car parks where charges could be brought in

The council admits the majority of residents and businesses in Kirkintilloch and Bishopbriggs are AGAINST controversial parking plans.

However, it is ploughing ahead with a Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) scheme, which will see the council employ its own traffic wardens

Costs will be partially covered by enforcement penalties, but it is estimated a further £197,000 will need to be found annually to fund traffic wardens – hence the car parking charges, which will be enforced Monday to Friday in towns in East Dunbartonshire.

The plan is that there will be no charges for the first two hours.

To park between two and three hours will cost £1, for three to four hours it will be £2, and for four hours and over it will cost £5.

There will also be a number of Traffic Regulation Orders seeking to restrict parking in certain residential and town centre locations.

A report to councillors reveals that the overall response was ‘NO’ to charging in car parks in Kirkintilloch and Bishopbriggs.

However, there was some support for the scheme. More than 40 per cent accepted the option of some form of charging in Kenmure in Bishopbriggs.

Car parks in Kirkintilloch – including Barleybank, High Street, Auld Kirk, Rochdale, Shamrock Street, Union Street and William Patrick Library – have been identified for charging, as has Memorial Hall in Bishopbriggs.

Readers have contacted the Herald to voice concerns.

But East Dunbartonshire MP Jo Swinson feels parking issues need to be tackled.

She said: “East Dunbartonshire’s parking problems have been a constant source of frustration to local people and something has to be done.

“While parking charges will not be universally popular, it is important that the council can invest in proper parking enforcement to tackle irresponsible parking in residential streets, especially around schools and train stations.

“Local shoppers will also benefit from free short-term parking and better availability of parking spaces in our town centres, which in turn will help our town centres to thrive.”

The proposals will go before a development and infrastructure committee for final approval.

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