Portobello parking zone plans scrapped by council after 2,000 objections

Plans for a controlled parking zone in Portobello have been thrown out by councillors after more than 2,000 objections from residents.

Edinburgh Council says there have been parking issues in the area for a long time – but a long-running local campaign against the zones argued parking pressures did not justify year-round restrictions.

For café owner Vidya Sarjoo, the decision is welcome news. After months of campaigning, the streets near her Portobello business will not face new parking charges.

The council proposals would have required drivers to either buy a permit or pay to park for up to four hours.

But with more than 2,000 objections submitted, residents said the charges were “unaffordable and unwanted”.

Go Go Beets cafe owner Vidya Sarjoo STV News

Vidya told STV News: “I feel so relieved and so grateful that the whole community, business owners, small businesses, the high street residents and everyone came together and really fought hard. I just feel so glad that it has been overruled.”

Controlled parking zones are often introduced by councils to reduce congestion and manage limited road space to help create safer streets for pedestrians.

But traders in this area had strong concerns parking zones would lead to fewer people shopping locally.

Jane Grant is the owner of the Velvet Easel Gallery and the Chair of the local Traders Association.

“Portobello is pretty much unique in that we’re almost entirely small independent businesses, with no backup of a big organisation.

“We’ve already faced huge challenges in keeping businesses afloat and I think there was a sense that this would be the final nail in the coffin.”

Campaigners also say the impact would have been felt by visitors to the area.

Ranald Leask is from Portobello and Joppa Residents & Businesses Against CPZ.

He said: “It would have devastated local businesses and was an unwelcome tax on local families already struggling in a cost of living crisis, and of course, those who come to Portobello to enjoy the beach – it would have been a tax on them.”

Edinburgh Council say they respect the decision made and have no immediate plans to revisit the proposals.

But they said that parking pressures will not simply disappear, and unrestricted parking in an area like Portobello which attracts a lot of visitors, may cause further issues in future.

Councillor Margaret Graham, Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Sub-Committee Convener said: “The detailed proposals which were debated yesterday aimed to manage the known parking pressures in the area and create short-term parking opportunities on the High Street for residents and visitors.

“These pressures will not simply disappear, and unrestricted parking in an area like Portobello which attracts a lot of visitors, may cause further issues going forward.

“However, following Committee’s decision these proposals will not be taken forward. We have no plans to raise this issue again for the foreseeable future.”